Waiting times for surgical procedures depend on the type of treatment you are waiting for and your individual needs..
NHS hospitals and the independent (private) sector hospitals are working together to increase the number of people who can be treated daily. However, due to the number of procedures that need to be carried out you may have to wait longer than would usually be expected.
The number of people on our waiting lists change daily, therefore it is very hard to tell you exactly how long you will have to wait. We work very hard to keep you up to date on this and to give you an indication of how long you may have to wait for your planned procedure.
Visit our preparing for surgery section for information on how to prepare.
You can look up the current expected waiting time for the surgical procedure in the table below.
Select the service Breast Surgery Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Simple mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy 20 Split autograph of skin + excision of BCC/SCC 30 Wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy 5 Exchange for permanent implant 47 Excision biopsy 8 Revision of scar 42 Reduce the appearance & impact of the mastectomy scar
Dermatology Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Excision biopsy 10 Remove by excision an area of tissue for closer examination Punch biopsy 11 Excision lesion of skin 12 Removal of a skin lesion by completely cutting it out
Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Tonsillectomy 44 Surgical removal of tonsils Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy 43 Surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids Septoplasty of nose + turbinoplasty 53 Excision of lump/lesion/cyst 38 Septoplasty of nose 48 Straightening of the nasal septum Endoscopic sinus surgery / polypectomy 48 Grommets / t-tube 28 Insertion/removal of grommet or t-tube Total thyroidectomy 29 Surgical removal of all of the thyroid gland Atticotomy 44 Adenoidectomy 32 Removal of adenoids - small lumps of tissue at the back of the nose, above the roof of the mouth
General Surgery (including Colorectal and UGI) Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Inguinal hernia repair 41 Excision of lump/lesion/cyst 38 Laparoscopic repair hiatus hernia 58 Laparoscopic cholecystectomy 21 Laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder Para-umbilical hernia repair 53 Excision biopsy 47 Laparoscopy diagnostic 62 Exploration abdominal wall 26 Anti reflux surgery 41
Gynaecology Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Hysteroscopy + polypectomy 23 Examination of the inside of the uterus (womb) + removal of small lumps, such as fibroids and polyps Hysteroscopy + endometrial biopsy 9 Examination of the inside of the uterus (womb) + removal of a sample of lining Vaginal hysterectomy 54 Surgical removal of the uterus through the vagina Bilateral salpingoophorectomy 23 Surgical removal of bilateral ovaries and fallopian tubes Total laparoscopic hysterectomy 42 Laparoscopic removal of the uterus Anterior & posterior colporrhaphy 13 Anterior and posterior vagina wall repair Collagen injection bladder 62 Laparoscopy diagnostic 31 Laparoscopic examination inside the abdomen Repair rectocele/colporrhaphy posterior 63 Laparoscopic excision endometriosis 28 Laparoscopic removal of or destroy endometriotic tissue in the pelvis
Ophthalmology Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Cataract surgery 31 Excision of BCC/SCC 25 Excision lesion eyelid 34 Correction of ptosis of eyelid using aponeurosis technique 38 Corrective surgery to elevate the eyelid Lateral tarsal strip 9 Bilateral recession of medial recti muscles of eyes 23 Blepharoplasty upper eyelid 42
Paediatric Trauma and Orthopaedics Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Removal of metalwork 15 Wedge resection toe nail 15 Ankle ligament reconstruction 31 Osteotomy high tibial 57 Achilles tendon lengthening 60 Calcaneal osteotomy 11 Surgical procedure to reposition the heel back in line with the lower leg Excision of Bone 54 Surgery to excise bone
Plastic Surgery Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Excision of BCC/SCC 32 Excision of lump/lesion/cyst 38 Removal of lump/lesion/cyst by excision Excision of lipoma 52 Excision biopsy 47 Carpal tunnel decompression 24 Surgery to release pressure on the median nerve at the wrist
Trauma and Orthopaedics Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Total knee replacement 42 Surgical procedure to replace the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint Carpal tunnel decompression 24 Surgery to release pressure on the median nerve at the wrist Primary total hip replacement 35 Surgical procedure to replace the hip joint Unicondylar knee replacement 49 Surgery for a partial (unicondylar) knee replacement Arthroscopy of knee 19 Fusion 1ST MTPJ 23 Surgical procedure to irreversibly stiffen the joint at the base of the big toe while removing any bony lumps and correcting a deformity Shoulder replacement 44 Surgical procedure to replace the worn surfaces with a metal ball and plastic socket Removal of metalwork 20
Urology Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) Explanation of procedure Transurethral resection prostate (T.U.R.P) 36 Surgical procedure that involves cutting away a section of the prostate Circumcision 28 Surgical removal of the foreskin Flexible ureteroscopy and laser 19 Procedure for the treatment and investigation of kidney stones, tumours, or obstructions Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (T.U.R.B.T) 7 Surgical procedure to take a biopsy from or remove the bladder tumour Vasectomy 16 Surgical procedure to cut or seal the tubes that carry a man's sperm to permanently prevent pregnancy Excision of epididymal cyst 10 Ureteroscopic fragmentation calculus ureter 8 Litholapaxy 8 Excision of hydrocele 20 Surgical procedure to remove or repair a fluid-filled sac surrounding the testicle Injection botox into bladder wall 17
Vascular Surgery Procedure Average wait time (in weeks) VNUS - endovenous radiofrequency ablation 44 Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy of varicose vein leg 44 Avulsion varicose vein of leg 65
