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Elderly care (geriatrics) appointment waiting times and costs in the UK

Official NHS waiting times for elderly care (geriatrics) appointment at every hospital in England, and how Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compare, plus what it costs to go private. Figures from July 2026, checked daily.

England · median wait so far7 wkElderly Medicine

Within 18 weeks (target 92%)83.8%26,838 people waiting

On the NHSFreewith a GP referral

Paying privately£200–£320Estimate typical self-pay price

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Shortest NHS waits in England for elderly Medicine

The 15 hospitals with the shortest median wait, out of 109 hospitals treating NHS patients. Private hospitals here treat NHS patients for free on a GP referral. Figures are for each NHS trust or provider as a whole.

Hospital / trust	Type	Region	Median wait so far	Within 18 weeks	Waiting
Livewell Southwest	Private · takes NHS	South West	2 wk	100%	24
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust	NHS	London	2 wk	98.5%	66
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	London	3 wk	95.6%	158
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust	NHS	West Midlands	3 wk	98.2%	55
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	London	3 wk	94.6%	37
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust	NHS	East Midlands	3 wk	100%	45
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust	NHS	North West	3 wk	100%	87
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	North West	3 wk	90.5%	116
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust	NHS	South East	4 wk	98.9%	284
Dorking Healthcare Limited (Dhc)	Private · takes NHS	South East	4 wk	100%	29
Medway NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	South East	4 wk	98.4%	61
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust	NHS	South East	4 wk	90.8%	65
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	North East	4 wk	97.4%	232
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust	NHS	West Midlands	4 wk	97%	99
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	East of England	4 wk	96.2%	52

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Each nation publishes its own figures, measured differently, so they're shown separately (specialty: elderly care (geriatrics)).

Wales

6,106 patient pathways waiting; 21.1% for 26 weeks or more and 3.1% for over a year (July 2026). Wales doesn't publish a median wait.

Northern Ireland

58 people waiting for treatment (quarter ending 30 June 2026). Median wait so far by trust: South Eastern 34 wk, Southern 55 wk, Belfast 111 wk (worked out from published week bands, so approximate).

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Common questions

How long is the NHS wait for elderly care (geriatrics) appointment?

In England, half of the 26,838 people currently waiting for elderly Medicine treatment had been waiting 7 wks or less so far, and 83.8% within 18 weeks (July 2026; the NHS standard is 92%). It varies a lot by hospital: the shortest median above is 2 wk. The NHS publishes waits by specialty, not by individual operation, so this is the wait for the specialty that treats it.

How much does elderly care (geriatrics) appointment cost privately in the UK?

Typically £200–£320 as a self-pay patient. This is a FairWait estimate from published price lists — prices vary by hospital and consultant, so ask for a written quote. On the NHS it's free.

Can I choose a hospital with a shorter wait?

In England you have the legal right to choose where you're referred for most planned hospital treatment, including private hospitals that treat NHS patients, at no cost. Ask your GP, or see the NHS guide to choosing a hospital.

Sources: NHS England — Referral to Treatment waiting times (July 2026) · Public Health Scotland · Welsh Government (StatsWales) · Department of Health (NI). Private prices are FairWait estimates. All data sources.

All UK operations and specialists