FairWaitOrthopaedic (bones & joints) appointment waiting times and costs in the UK
Official NHS waiting times for orthopaedic (bones & joints) 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.
Shortest NHS waits in England for trauma and Orthopaedic
The 15 hospitals with the shortest median wait, out of 304 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | West Midlands | 3 wk | 98.5% | 65 |
| Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust | NHS | West Midlands | 3 wk | 97% | 33 |
| Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | South West | 3 wk | 100% | 65 |
| Princess Margaret Hospital | Private · takes NHS | South East | 4 wk | 94.7% | 38 |
| Independent Health Group | Private · takes NHS | South West | 5 wk | 86.3% | 241 |
| Provide Enterprises | Private · takes NHS | East of England | 5 wk | 100% | 235 |
| Clementine Churchill Hospital | Private · takes NHS | London | 5 wk | 99.1% | 697 |
| Ridgeway Hospital | Private · takes NHS | South West | 5 wk | 100% | 21 |
| First Community Health and Care CIC | Private · takes NHS | South East | 5 wk | 98.6% | 952 |
| Nuffield Health Highgate Hospital | Private · takes NHS | London | 5 wk | 87.7% | 561 |
| Bishops Wood Hospital | Private · takes NHS | London | 6 wk | 96.1% | 331 |
| Chiltern Hospital | Private · takes NHS | South East | 6 wk | 94.8% | 305 |
| Epsomedical Group | Private · takes NHS | South East | 6 wk | 96.2% | 78 |
| Probus Surgical Centre | Private · takes NHS | South West | 6 wk | 93.3% | 104 |
| Sloane Hospital | Private · takes NHS | London | 6 wk | 88.2% | 338 |
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Each nation publishes its own figures, measured differently, so they're shown separately (specialty: orthopaedics).
Scotland
Half of the 41,803 people waiting for treatment had waited 159 days or less so far; 90% had waited less than 375 days (month ending 31 August 2026). Shortest by NHS board: NHS Shetland (—), NHS Western Isles (45 days), NHS Orkney (96 days).
Wales
92,339 patient pathways waiting; 55.2% for 26 weeks or more and 28.9% for over a year (July 2026). Wales doesn't publish a median wait.
Northern Ireland
20,893 people waiting for treatment (quarter ending 30 June 2026). Median wait so far by trust: South Eastern 10 wk, Belfast 55 wk, Southern 59 wk, Western 72 wk (worked out from published week bands, so approximate).
Common questions
How long is the NHS wait for orthopaedic (bones & joints) appointment?
In England, half of the 848,807 people currently waiting for trauma and Orthopaedic treatment had been waiting 14 wks or less so far, and 60.7% within 18 weeks (July 2026; the NHS standard is 92%). It varies a lot by hospital: the shortest median above is 3 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 orthopaedic (bones & joints) appointment cost privately in the UK?
Typically £200–£300 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.