Neurosurgery Waiting Times Across the NHS

The NHS Neurosurgery waiting list in England has 56,370 patients currently waiting for treatment, with a typical wait of around 12 weeks across 45 hospitals. In practice, Neurosurgery waiting times range from about 4 weeks at the fastest hospital to 27 weeks at the slowest. From GP referral to first Neurosurgery appointment, most patients (92%) are seen within about 35 weeks; the NHS constitutional target is 18 weeks. 824 patients have been on the Neurosurgery waiting list for more than a year. Waits for Neurosurgery haven't really changed since April 2025.

12-month change

Then vs now nationally

Apr 25→Apr 26
Typical wait
12.5weeks
No change
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
7in 10
No change
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
56k
â–¼ -1.9k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
824
â–¼ -571
Been on the list for 12+ months
45
Hospitals you could choose from
12 weeks
How long most people wait
7 in 10
Seen within 18 weeks
824
Have waited over a year

Common reasons for referral

Brain tumour surgery
Spinal disc surgery
Nerve decompression
Carpal tunnel surgery
Spinal fusion
Hydrocephalus treatment (shunt)
Trigeminal neuralgia treatment
Deep brain stimulation

National trend

Average neurosurgery wait across England, month by month.

No change

All hospitals

Hospital Region Wait Within 18 Wks 52+ Wk
Three Shires Hospital Midlands Midlands 4 wks
88.4%
-
Meriden Hospital Midlands Midlands 5 wks
94.3%
-
Beardwood Hospital North West North West 7 wks
88.9%
-
Park Hospital Midlands Midlands 7 wks
100.0%
-
Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital East of England East of England 8 wks
55.0%
-
North Bristol NHS Trust South West South West 9 wks
74.9%
-
Spire Regency Hospital North West North West 9 wks
92.0%
-
The One Health Group Plc North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 9 wks
75.5%
5
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 10 wks
69.2%
19
Barking, Havering And Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust London London 10 wks
76.1%
8
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust South East South East 10 wks
70.1%
2
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Midlands Midlands 10 wks
75.3%
2
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 10 wks
80.4%
7
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust North West North West 10 wks
67.5%
54
Dorking Healthcare Limited (Dhc) South East South East 10 wks
73.6%
-
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust South East South East 10 wks
75.6%
7
Spire Fylde Coast Hospital North West North West 11 wks
89.7%
-
Spire St Anthony's Hospital London London 11 wks
82.9%
-
Pioneer Healthcare Limited South East South East 11 wks
61.0%
9
Nuffield Health, Cambridge Hospital East of England East of England 11 wks
53.8%
-
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust East of England East of England 11 wks
67.9%
37
University Hospitals Of North Midlands NHS Trust Midlands Midlands 11 wks
64.9%
7
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Midlands Midlands 12 wks
64.8%
-
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust London London 12 wks
68.5%
34
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 12 wks
64.3%
102
Claremont Private Hospital North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 12 wks
64.0%
7
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London London 13 wks
60.8%
95
Spire Washington Hospital North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 13 wks
69.6%
-
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust South East South East 13 wks
56.9%
3
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 13 wks
65.3%
13
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust London London 13 wks
61.6%
9
Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust North West North West 13 wks
67.9%
-
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust North West North West 14 wks
59.6%
2
Spire Hull And East Riding Hospital North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 14 wks
63.1%
-
Nuffield Health, Brentwood Hospital East of England East of England 14 wks
53.0%
-
University Hospitals Of Derby And Burton NHS Foundation Trust Midlands Midlands 15 wks
56.3%
-
Barts Health NHS Trust London London 15 wks
54.2%
21
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London London 16 wks
53.5%
16
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust North West North West 16 wks
54.0%
171
Nuffield Health, Plymouth Hospital South West South West 17 wks
55.1%
1
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust South West South West 19 wks
48.5%
72
Spire London East London London 19 wks
49.2%
4
University Hospitals Coventry And Warwickshire NHS Trust Midlands Midlands 20 wks
45.8%
111
University Hospitals Of Leicester NHS Trust Midlands Midlands 26 wks
38.4%
1
Mid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust East of England East of England 27 wks
22.6%
5

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Neurosurgery waiting list?

The NHS Neurosurgery waiting list in England has about 56,370 patients currently waiting for treatment. The typical wait is around 12 weeks (3 months), based on data from 45 hospitals. Waiting times vary significantly between hospitals, so it's worth comparing your options before accepting a referral.

How long will I wait to see a neurosurgeon on the NHS?

The headline NHS waiting time is the wait from your GP's referral to your first outpatient appointment, which is the first time you actually see a neurosurgeon. Nationally this currently averages about 12 weeks. In our data it ranges from as short as 4 weeks at the fastest hospital to 27 weeks at the slowest, so where you are referred matters. Any tests, procedures or treatment that follow that first appointment may have their own waits on top.

What percentage of Neurosurgery patients are seen within 18 weeks?

Across the NHS, 66% of Neurosurgery patients are currently seen within the 18-week target. The NHS constitutional standard is 92%.

Can I choose which hospital I'm referred to?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England have the right to choose which hospital they are referred to for a first outpatient appointment. You can use WaitRadar to compare waiting times and discuss your options with your GP.

Source: NHS England RTT statistics. about our methodology

This is informational data, not medical advice. Always discuss referral options with your GP. Full disclaimer.