FairWait › UK › Spinal decompression (spinal stenosis)

Spinal decompression (spinal stenosis) waiting times and costs in the UK

Official NHS waiting times for spinal decompression (spinal stenosis) 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 far13 wkNeurosurgical

Within 18 weeks (target 92%)62.7%54,161 people waiting

On the NHSFreewith a GP referral

Paying privately£8,500–£12,500Estimate typical package price

Compare every hospital near you →

Shortest NHS waits in England for neurosurgical

The 15 hospitals with the shortest median wait, out of 29 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
Meriden Hospital	Private · takes NHS	West Midlands	4 wk	96%	200
The One Health Group Plc	Private · takes NHS	Yorkshire and The Humber	8 wk	80%	2,144
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	South West	8 wk	80%	1,245
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	North East	11 wk	71.6%	1,390
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	South East	11 wk	76.6%	1,126
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	North East	11 wk	74.8%	1,051
Spire Washington Hospital	Private · takes NHS	North East	11 wk	73.7%	76
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust	NHS	Yorkshire and The Humber	11 wk	64.2%	544
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust	NHS	London	11 wk	71.5%	2,040
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust	NHS	East Midlands	11 wk	74.5%	1,003
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	South East	11 wk	66.7%	1,128
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	North West	12 wk	65.8%	3,696
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	East of England	12 wk	65.9%	2,114
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	North West	13 wk	63.4%	3,634
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	NHS	London	13 wk	63%	3,574

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

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

Scotland

Half of the 1,304 people waiting for treatment had waited 123 days or less so far; 90% had waited less than 416 days (month ending 31 August 2026). Shortest by NHS board: NHS Tayside (25 days), NHS Grampian (107 days), NHS Lothian (125 days).

Wales

1,003 patient pathways waiting; 17.0% for 26 weeks or more and 0.2% for over a year (July 2026). Wales doesn't publish a median wait.

Northern Ireland

217 people waiting for treatment (quarter ending 30 June 2026). Median wait so far by trust: Belfast 19 wk (worked out from published week bands, so approximate).

See every board and trust →

Common questions

How long is the NHS wait for spinal decompression (spinal stenosis)?

In England, half of the 54,161 people currently waiting for neurosurgical treatment had been waiting 13 wks or less so far, and 62.7% within 18 weeks (July 2026; the NHS standard is 92%). It varies a lot by hospital: the shortest median above is 4 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 spinal decompression (spinal stenosis) cost privately in the UK?

Typically £8,500–£12,500 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.

Lumbar disc surgery (discectomy)

All UK operations and specialists