FairWait › UK › Plastic surgery appointment

Plastic surgery appointment waiting times and costs in the UK

Official NHS waiting times for plastic surgery 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 far14 wkPlastic Surgery

Within 18 weeks (target 92%)59.5%108,107 people waiting

On the NHSFreewith a GP referral

Paying privately£150–£250Estimate typical self-pay price

Compare every hospital near you →

Shortest NHS waits in England for plastic Surgery

The 15 hospitals with the shortest median wait, out of 91 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
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	North West	3 wk	98.6%	74
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	North West	4 wk	99.5%	220
East Cheshire NHS Trust	NHS	North West	4 wk	93%	43
Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	South East	4 wk	90.9%	22
Tees Valley Hospital	Private · takes NHS	North East	4 wk	93.6%	621
Cotswolds Surgical Partners	Private · takes NHS	South West	4 wk	96.9%	227
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	South West	4 wk	86.6%	157
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust	NHS	West Midlands	5 wk	92.3%	142
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	East Midlands	6 wk	70.2%	151
Somerset Surgical Services Hq	Private · takes NHS	South West	6 wk	96.6%	119
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	Yorkshire and The Humber	6 wk	87.7%	65
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	East of England	7 wk	71.4%	63
Spire Methley Park Hospital	Private · takes NHS	Yorkshire and The Humber	7 wk	82.8%	29
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	South West	7 wk	89%	218
Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	London	7 wk	92%	337

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

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

Scotland

Half of the 4,926 people waiting for treatment had waited 104 days or less so far; 90% had waited less than 340 days (month ending 31 August 2026). Shortest by NHS board: NHS Forth Valley (—), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (83 days), NHS Fife (95 days).

Wales

6,168 patient pathways waiting; 40.5% for 26 weeks or more and 16.8% for over a year (July 2026). Wales doesn't publish a median wait.

Northern Ireland

1,612 people waiting for treatment (quarter ending 30 June 2026). Median wait so far by trust: Regional day procedure centres 39 wk, South Eastern 45 wk, Belfast 65 wk (worked out from published week bands, so approximate).

See every board and trust →

Common questions

How long is the NHS wait for plastic surgery appointment?

In England, half of the 108,107 people currently waiting for plastic Surgery treatment had been waiting 14 wks or less so far, and 59.5% 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 plastic surgery appointment cost privately in the UK?

Typically £150–£250 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