Private Surgery Costs UK (2026): Prices by Procedure, Wait Times & How to Pay
NHS surgery waits are the longest on record — so thousands go private every month. Here’s what private surgery actually costs in 2026 by procedure, how fast you can be seen, the honest truth about what insurance does and doesn’t cover, and how to pay.
Quick Answer
Private surgery in the UK is usually sold as a fixed-price package covering the surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital stay and follow-up. Typical 2026 ranges run from around £3,000 for a hernia repair to £12,000–£17,000 for a hip or knee replacement. You can self-pay, spread it with finance (often 0%), or use private health insurance — though insurance only covers conditions that aren’t already pre-existing.
The big draw is speed: private consultation in 1–2 weeks and surgery in 2–4, versus many months — sometimes over a year — on the NHS.
On this page
Private Surgery Cost Table UK (2026)
Prices vary by hospital, location (London is typically 10–25% higher), implant choice and case complexity. The ranges below are typical fixed-price self-pay packages — click any procedure for its full cost breakdown. For the insurance column, read it carefully: a tick means it’s usually covered if the condition is not pre-existing — see the honesty note below the table.
| Procedure | Typical cost (UK, 2026) | Insurance?* |
|---|---|---|
| Hip replacement → | £11,000–£17,000 | If not pre-existing |
| Knee replacement → | £12,000–£16,000 | If not pre-existing |
| Hernia repair → | £3,000–£4,200 | If not pre-existing |
| Cataract (per eye) → | £2,000–£4,000 | Sometimes* |
| Gallbladder removal → | £6,800–£7,800 | If not pre-existing |
| ACL reconstruction → | £8,000–£8,500 | If not pre-existing |
| Appendix removal → | £4,500–£6,000 | Usually (acute) |
| Tonsillectomy (adult) → | £2,200–£3,700 | If medically necessary |
| Hysterectomy → | £8,800–£9,700 | If not pre-existing |
| Bunion surgery → | £3,500–£5,500 | If not pre-existing |
*Indicative 2026 self-pay ranges including standard package elements; confirm with the hospital. The insurance column is a general guide only — actual cover depends on your policy, excess, hospital tier and whether the condition is pre-existing. Read the honesty note next.
⚠️ The honest truth about insurance and surgery
Health insurance covers surgery for new, unforeseen conditions that arise after your policy starts — not problems you already have. If you already have hip pain, a hernia, cataracts or symptoms you’ve seen a doctor about, a new policy almost certainly won’t cover that surgery (it’s a pre-existing exclusion). So you can’t take out cover today to fund an operation you already know you need. For an existing problem, your realistic routes are self-pay or finance. Insurance is for protecting against future needs. See pre-existing conditions explained.
What’s Included in a Fixed-Price Package?
The appeal of self-pay is the fixed-price package: one quoted figure that bundles the major costs so you’re not hit with surprises. A typical package includes the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees, theatre and hospital stay, nursing, medicines and dressings, any implant (e.g. a hip joint or lens), and one or two follow-up appointments. What can fall outside it: pre-op diagnostics (MRI/CT, sometimes billed separately), extended stays if there’s a complication, and ongoing physiotherapy beyond the included sessions.
💡 Always ask one question
Before booking, ask for a written estimate and the exact question: “What could increase this final price?” That single question surfaces the diagnostics, longer-stay and physio costs that aren’t always in the headline package figure. For the full picture see our private hospital price list.
How to Pay for Private Surgery — 3 Routes
1. Self-pay (one-off)
Pay the fixed-price package upfront. Fastest route, no insurer involved, no referral usually needed. Best when you have an existing condition insurance won’t cover, or you simply want speed and simplicity.
2. Finance / 0% instalments
Many hospitals offer payment plans, frequently 0% over 6–24 months (longer terms may carry interest). Spreads a £12,000 hip into manageable payments. Check the total repayable and that the lender is FCA-authorised — see interest-free credit options.
3. Private health insurance
If the condition isn’t pre-existing and symptoms hadn’t begun before cover started, insurance can pay for the surgery in full minus your excess. This is the cheapest route if you’re already covered — but only for future conditions, not ones you already have.
Does Health Insurance Cover Private Surgery?
Yes — inpatient and day-case surgery is core cover on most policies. But the detail decides whether you are covered for a specific operation:
- Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded — the single biggest catch (see the warning above).
- You usually need a GP referral and pre-authorisation before treatment.
- Your hospital list tier determines where you can go; London access may cost more.
- Your excess comes off the claim, and outpatient limits affect pre-op diagnostics.
- If your consultant charges above insurer-recognised rates, you may face a shortfall.
To compare policies on the things that matter for surgery — hospital access, outpatient cover and excess, not just headline price — see best UK health insurance for surgery and is it worth it?.
NHS vs Private Surgery Wait Times (2026)
The NHS elective waiting list remains around 7.4 million, and while most patients are treated within 18 weeks, a substantial number wait far longer — well beyond 52 weeks in some trusts and specialties, particularly orthopaedics. Going private collapses that timeline:
| NHS (non-urgent) | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| First consultation | Weeks to months | 1–2 weeks |
| Surgery date | 6–18+ months | 2–4 weeks |
See current figures in our NHS wait times guide and how to jump the waiting list.
Where to Have Private Surgery
All the major UK groups offer fixed-price surgery — Spire, Nuffield Health, Circle/BMI, Ramsay and HCA, plus independents. Find options near you:
- Full private hospital directory — browse by region
- Top private hospitals in Manchester
- Cromwell Hospital, London
- Spire Manchester
- Ramsay Healthcare UK
How to Book Private Surgery, Step by Step
- Choose a hospital or consultant — by location, reputation and (if insured) your hospital list tier.
- Request a fixed-price quote in writing, and ask what could increase it.
- Book your consultation — often within 1–2 weeks; self-referral is usually fine for self-pay.
- Choose how to pay — self-pay, finance, or (for non-pre-existing conditions) insurance with pre-authorisation.
- Confirm what’s included — billers, follow-ups and any diagnostics — before your surgery date.
The bottom line
Private surgery is sold as a fixed-price package — roughly £3,000 for a hernia up to £12,000–£17,000 for a hip or knee — and gets you treated in weeks rather than months. Self-pay or finance suits a condition you already have; insurance is the cheapest route only for future conditions you don’t yet have symptoms of, since pre-existing problems are excluded.
If you don’t have symptoms yet, that’s precisely when cover is worth pricing up — avoid the NHS waiting times and compare top providers to see what protecting yourself against future surgery costs would cost per month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private surgery cost in the UK?
It depends on the procedure. Typical 2026 fixed-price packages range from around £3,000 for a hernia repair, £2,000–£4,000 per eye for cataracts, £6,800–£7,800 for gallbladder removal, up to £12,000–£17,000 for a hip or knee replacement. Packages usually include surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital stay and follow-up; London is often 10–25% higher.
Can I get surgery faster by going private?
Yes — usually much faster. Private consultations are typically within 1–2 weeks and surgery within 2–4 weeks, versus 6–18+ months for non-urgent NHS surgery (longer in some orthopaedic specialties). Speed is the main reason most people self-pay or use insurance.
Will health insurance cover my surgery?
Only if the condition isn’t pre-existing. Insurance covers new conditions that arise after your policy starts — not problems you already have or have seen a doctor about. If you already have symptoms, a new policy won’t fund that surgery; self-pay or finance is the route. For future conditions, insurance can cover surgery in full minus your excess.
Do I need a GP referral for private surgery?
For self-pay, usually not — most hospitals accept self-referral, though a GP letter is helpful. For an insurance claim, you’ll normally need a GP referral plus pre-authorisation from your insurer before treatment, or the claim may not be paid.
What’s included in a fixed-price surgery package?
Typically the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees, theatre, hospital stay, nursing, medicines, any implant, and one or two follow-ups. Often excluded: pre-op diagnostics like MRI, extended stays from complications, and physiotherapy beyond included sessions. Always get a written estimate and ask what could increase the price.
Can I spread the cost of private surgery?
Yes — many hospitals offer finance, frequently 0% interest over 6–24 months, with interest-bearing options for longer terms. Check the total repayable, the term, and that the lender is FCA-authorised. This is a common route for people with a pre-existing condition that insurance won’t cover.
Is private surgery cheaper than the NHS?
No — the NHS is free at the point of use, so private is never “cheaper” in cash terms. What you’re paying for privately is speed, choice of consultant and timing. The genuine cost comparison is between self-pay, finance, and holding insurance that covers future surgery for the price of a monthly premium plus excess.
- UK private hospital self-pay price lists (Circle, Practice Plus, Nuffield, KIMS, Sancta Maria) — 2026 fixed-price guides
- NHS England — elective waiting list & RTT statistics (2026)
- Published 2026 private surgery cost guides & medical inflation data
Important information
This guide is produced independently by Going Private UK and is not affiliated with any hospital or insurer. We may earn a commission when readers compare or take out health insurance through our quote service — this never affects the guidance we give.
Prices are indicative 2026 self-pay ranges, not quotes from named hospitals — always confirm current pricing and what’s included directly with the provider. Insurance cover depends entirely on your individual policy, medical history and the pre-existing terms. This is general information, not medical, insurance or financial advice.
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