Orthopaedics 22 treatments · NHS median 14.1 wks · 1 in 12 wait 41.8+ wks
Hip replacementOrthopaedics
Knee replacementOrthopaedics
Knee arthroscopyOrthopaedics
Meniscus repairOrthopaedics
ACL reconstructionOrthopaedics
Shoulder replacementOrthopaedics
Rotator cuff repairOrthopaedics
Shoulder arthroscopyOrthopaedics
Frozen shoulder releaseOrthopaedics
Bunion surgeryOrthopaedics
Ankle fusionOrthopaedics
Achilles tendon repairOrthopaedics
Carpal tunnel releaseOrthopaedics
Trigger finger releaseOrthopaedics
Dupuytren's contracture releaseOrthopaedics
Ganglion removalOrthopaedics
Hip arthroscopyOrthopaedics
Wrist fusionOrthopaedics
Elbow arthroscopyOrthopaedics
OsteotomyOrthopaedics
Hand tendon repairOrthopaedics
Joint injectionOrthopaedics
Spinal & neurosurgery 8 treatments · NHS median 13.6 wks · 1 in 12 wait 39.9+ wks
Spinal decompressionSpinal & neurosurgery
Spinal fusionSpinal & neurosurgery
Discectomy (slipped disc)Spinal & neurosurgery
Epidural / spinal injectionSpinal & neurosurgery
Scoliosis assessmentSpinal & neurosurgery
VertebroplastySpinal & neurosurgery
Brain tumour surgery (elective)Spinal & neurosurgery
Nerve decompressionSpinal & neurosurgery
Ophthalmology 10 treatments · NHS median 10.2 wks · 1 in 12 wait 33.4+ wks
Cataract surgeryOphthalmology
YAG laser capsulotomyOphthalmology
Glaucoma surgeryOphthalmology
Squint correctionOphthalmology
Ptosis (droopy eyelid) surgeryOphthalmology
Cornea transplantOphthalmology
VitrectomyOphthalmology
Tear duct surgeryOphthalmology
Macular degeneration clinicOphthalmology
Diabetic eye screening follow-upOphthalmology
General surgery 10 treatments · NHS median 13.3 wks · 1 in 12 wait 40.9+ wks
Inguinal hernia repairGeneral surgery
Umbilical hernia repairGeneral surgery
Hiatus hernia repairGeneral surgery
Gallbladder removalGeneral surgery
Haemorrhoid surgeryGeneral surgery
Anal fissure surgeryGeneral surgery
Pilonidal sinus surgeryGeneral surgery
Lipoma removalGeneral surgery
Skin lesion excisionGeneral surgery
Sebaceous cyst removalGeneral surgery
Vascular 5 treatments · NHS median 11.9 wks · 1 in 12 wait 39.4+ wks
Varicose vein surgeryVascular
SclerotherapyVascular
Carotid artery surgeryVascular
Leg ulcer clinicVascular
Aneurysm surveillanceVascular
ENT 10 treatments · NHS median 14.8 wks · 1 in 12 wait 41.6+ wks
TonsillectomyENT
AdenoidectomyENT
Grommets insertionENT
SeptoplastyENT
Sinus surgery (FESS)ENT
ThyroidectomyENT
MastoidectomyENT
Hearing assessmentENT
Balance (vertigo) clinicENT
Voice clinicENT
Gynaecology 10 treatments · NHS median 13.9 wks · 1 in 12 wait 41.3+ wks
HysterectomyGynaecology
HysteroscopyGynaecology
Endometriosis surgeryGynaecology
Fibroid removal (myomectomy)Gynaecology
Ovarian cyst removalGynaecology
Prolapse repairGynaecology
SterilisationGynaecology
ColposcopyGynaecology
Menopause clinicGynaecology
Fertility investigationGynaecology
Urology 9 treatments · NHS median 12.7 wks · 1 in 12 wait 38.0+ wks
Prostate surgery (TURP)Urology
Kidney stone removalUrology
CircumcisionUrology
VasectomyUrology
Vasectomy reversalUrology
Bladder surgeryUrology
CystoscopyUrology
Hydrocele repairUrology
Prostate assessment (PSA clinic)Urology
Cardiology 8 treatments · NHS median 12.1 wks · 1 in 12 wait 35.5+ wks
Cardiology consultationCardiology
EchocardiogramCardiology
Coronary angiogramCardiology
Angioplasty & stentCardiology
Pacemaker insertionCardiology
Heart rhythm ablationCardiology
24-hour ECG monitoringCardiology
Cardiac stress testCardiology
Dermatology 8 treatments · NHS median 11.3 wks · 1 in 12 wait 38.6+ wks
Dermatology consultationDermatology
Mole removalDermatology
Skin cancer screeningDermatology
Cyst removalDermatology
Acne consultationDermatology
Psoriasis consultationDermatology
Eczema consultationDermatology
Wart & verruca treatmentDermatology
Gastroenterology 6 treatments · NHS median 11.8 wks · 1 in 12 wait 36.1+ wks
Gastroenterology consultationGastroenterology
IBS consultationGastroenterology
IBD (Crohn's & colitis) clinicGastroenterology
Liver clinicGastroenterology
Coeliac assessmentGastroenterology
Reflux (GORD) clinicGastroenterology
Neurology 6 treatments · NHS median 14.0 wks · 1 in 12 wait 38.9+ wks
Neurology consultationNeurology
Nerve conduction studiesNeurology
Epilepsy clinicNeurology
Migraine clinicNeurology
Memory clinicNeurology
Multiple sclerosis reviewNeurology
Oral & maxillofacial 5 treatments · NHS median 16.0 wks · 1 in 12 wait 43.2+ wks
Wisdom tooth removalOral & maxillofacial
Jaw (orthognathic) surgeryOral & maxillofacial
TMJ disorder treatmentOral & maxillofacial
Salivary gland surgeryOral & maxillofacial
Dental implant assessmentOral & maxillofacial
Plastic & reconstructive 5 treatments · NHS median 14.6 wks · 1 in 12 wait 43.7+ wks
Breast reductionPlastic & reconstructive
Breast reconstructionPlastic & reconstructive
Scar revisionPlastic & reconstructive
Skin graftPlastic & reconstructive
Carpal boss removalPlastic & reconstructive
Mental health 6 treatments · NHS median 9.3 wks · 1 in 12 wait 25.3+ wks
Psychiatry assessmentMental health
CBT (talking therapy)Mental health
CounsellingMental health
Eating disorder assessmentMental health
ADHD assessmentMental health
Autism assessmentMental health
Rheumatology, pain & rehab 6 treatments · NHS median 11.0 wks · 1 in 12 wait 35.3+ wks
Rheumatology consultationRheumatology, pain & rehab
Pain management clinicRheumatology, pain & rehab
Steroid injectionRheumatology, pain & rehab
PhysiotherapyRheumatology, pain & rehab
Osteoporosis clinicRheumatology, pain & rehab
Fibromyalgia clinicRheumatology, pain & rehab
Diagnostics & imaging 10 tests · around 1 in 4 wait 6+ weeks on the NHS
MRI scanDiagnostics & imaging
CT scanDiagnostics & imaging
Ultrasound scanDiagnostics & imaging
ColonoscopyDiagnostics & imaging
GastroscopyDiagnostics & imaging
Flexible sigmoidoscopyDiagnostics & imaging
Echocardiogram (diagnostic)Diagnostics & imaging
DEXA bone density scanDiagnostics & imaging
Sleep studyDiagnostics & imaging
Lung function testsDiagnostics & imaging
Diagnostic tests are reported separately from RTT, in NHS England's DM01 collection, which counts patients waiting 6+ weeks rather than publishing a median. Latest anchor: around 1 in 4 patients waiting 6+ weeks (January 2026).
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How long are NHS waiting lists in 2026?
As of May 2026 there were 7.3 million treatments on the NHS waiting list in England. The median wait for those currently waiting is 12.4 weeks — but 1 in 12 have already been waiting more than 38 weeks, and over 105,000 people have waited more than a year.
Why do all treatments in a specialty show the same figures?
The NHS reports referral-to-treatment waits by specialty (like orthopaedics or ENT), not by individual procedure. So a hip replacement and a carpal tunnel release both show the trauma & orthopaedics figures. Individual experiences vary — complex surgery generally sits towards the long end of its specialty's range.
How much faster is private treatment?
With private health insurance you're typically seen by a consultant within days of a GP referral, with diagnostics inside a week or two and most routine surgery within 2–6 weeks of deciding to go ahead.
Where does this data come from?
NHS England's monthly referral-to-treatment (RTT) statistics — this page uses the May 2026 release, published 9 July 2026 (national, commissioner basis). Diagnostic tests are reported separately in the DM01 collection. Private timelines are indicative, based on typical private hospital scheduling.
Can I use the NHS and private cover together?
Yes — completely. GPs, A&E and emergency care work exactly as before. Private cover is used when you'd otherwise be waiting.