FairWaitGrommets (ear tubes) waiting times and costs in the UK
Official NHS waiting times for grommets (ear tubes) 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.
Shortest NHS waits in England for ear Nose and Throat
The 15 hospitals with the shortest median wait, out of 130 hospitals treating NHS patients that have patients waiting to be admitted for treatment (clinic-only services are left out). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rsa (Athena Surgical Centre) | Private · takes NHS | South East | 2 wk | 100% | 94 |
| King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | London | 5 wk | 88.7% | 733 |
| Benenden Hospital | Private · takes NHS | South East | 6 wk | 77.2% | 136 |
| Nuffield Health the Holly Hospital | Private · takes NHS | East of England | 6 wk | 71.2% | 497 |
| The Hamptons Hospital Ltd | Private · takes NHS | East of England | 7 wk | 83% | 223 |
| Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | South East | 7 wk | 82% | 150 |
| Beardwood Hospital | Private · takes NHS | North West | 7 wk | 87.3% | 118 |
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | NHS | North West | 7 wk | 77.5% | 3,498 |
| Nuffield Health Highgate Hospital | Private · takes NHS | London | 7 wk | 80.1% | 347 |
| Practice Plus Group Hospital - Ilford | Private · takes NHS | London | 7 wk | 75.9% | 299 |
| South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | North East | 8 wk | 82.5% | 5,273 |
| University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service | Private · takes NHS | South East | 8 wk | 72.2% | 187 |
| Practice Plus Group Hospital - Emersons Green | Private · takes NHS | South West | 8 wk | 90.1% | 233 |
| Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital | Private · takes NHS | London | 9 wk | 78.9% | 71 |
| Woodlands Hospital | Private · takes NHS | North East | 9 wk | 87.6% | 225 |
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Each nation publishes its own figures, measured differently, so they're shown separately (specialty: ear, nose and throat (ENT)).
Scotland
Half of the 13,603 people waiting for treatment had waited 160 days or less so far; 90% had waited less than 503 days (month ending 31 August 2026). Shortest by NHS board: NHS Shetland (33 days), NHS Tayside (63 days), NHS Dumfries and Galloway (104 days).
Wales
46,617 patient pathways waiting; 39.6% for 26 weeks or more and 16.5% for over a year (July 2026). Wales doesn't publish a median wait.
Northern Ireland
6,313 people waiting for treatment (quarter ending 30 June 2026). Median wait so far by trust: Southern 35 wk, Northern 41 wk, Western 73 wk, Belfast 104 wk, Regional day procedure centres 109 wk, South Eastern 109 wk (worked out from published week bands, so approximate).
Common questions
How long is the NHS wait for grommets (ear tubes)?
In England, half of the 594,940 people currently waiting for ear Nose and Throat treatment had been waiting 15 wks or less so far, and 57.6% 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 grommets (ear tubes) cost privately in the UK?
Typically £2,000–£3,000 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.