Neurosurgery Waiting Times Across the NHS

The NHS Neurosurgery waiting list in England has 55,786 patients currently waiting for treatment, with a typical wait of around 14 weeks across 42 hospitals. In practice, Neurosurgery waiting times range from about 4 weeks at the fastest hospital to 26 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. 913 patients have been on the Neurosurgery waiting list for more than a year. Waits for Neurosurgery are about 0.7 week longer than in February 2025.

12-month change

Then vs now nationally

Feb 25→Feb 26
Typical wait
13.5weeks
â–² +0.7 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
â–¼ -3.2 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
56k
â–¼ -3.5k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
913
â–¼ -624
Been on the list for 12+ months
42
Hospitals you could choose from
14 weeks
How long most people wait
6 in 10
Seen within 18 weeks
913
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.

â–² +0.7 wks

All hospitals

Hospital Region Wait Within 18 Wks 52+ Wk
Meriden Hospital Midlands Midlands 4 wks
95.4%
-
Spire St Anthony's Hospital London London 6 wks
82.1%
-
Three Shires Hospital Midlands Midlands 6 wks
86.9%
1
Spire Regency Hospital North West North West 6 wks
88.2%
-
Beardwood Hospital North West North West 8 wks
89.7%
-
Spire Fylde Coast Hospital North West North West 9 wks
66.9%
2
The One Health Group Plc North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 10 wks
71.0%
12
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 11 wks
70.6%
13
Spire Washington Hospital North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 11 wks
85.5%
-
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust South East South East 11 wks
69.6%
4
Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust North West North West 12 wks
67.2%
-
Pioneer Healthcare Limited South East South East 12 wks
67.0%
6
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust North West North West 12 wks
67.8%
62
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust East of England East of England 12 wks
67.0%
17
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 12 wks
70.7%
8
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 12 wks
70.7%
16
Barking, Havering And Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust London London 12 wks
66.9%
33
Spire Hull And East Riding Hospital North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 12 wks
60.4%
-
North Bristol NHS Trust South West South West 12 wks
67.7%
-
Claremont Private Hospital North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 12 wks
64.5%
2
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust South East South East 13 wks
65.8%
10
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Midlands Midlands 13 wks
64.2%
-
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Midlands Midlands 14 wks
63.1%
5
Dorking Healthcare Limited (Dhc) South East South East 14 wks
65.4%
-
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust London London 14 wks
64.0%
62
Nuffield Health, Cambridge Hospital East of England East of England 14 wks
64.3%
1
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust North East and Yorkshire North East and Yorkshire 14 wks
60.3%
95
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust North West North West 14 wks
58.9%
134
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London London 15 wks
57.3%
72
University Hospitals Of North Midlands NHS Trust Midlands Midlands 15 wks
58.6%
14
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust North West North West 15 wks
57.3%
25
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust London London 15 wks
56.5%
29
Nuffield Health, Plymouth Hospital South West South West 16 wks
58.3%
3
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London London 17 wks
52.9%
61
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust South East South East 18 wks
49.3%
20
Spire London East London London 19 wks
45.2%
6
Barts Health NHS Trust London London 19 wks
48.9%
19
University Hospitals Coventry And Warwickshire NHS Trust Midlands Midlands 19 wks
47.2%
94
University Hospitals Of Leicester NHS Trust Midlands Midlands 21 wks
42.9%
-
University Hospitals Of Derby And Burton NHS Foundation Trust Midlands Midlands 21 wks
42.4%
3
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust South West South West 21 wks
43.5%
80
Mid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust East of England East of England 26 wks
35.1%
4

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Neurosurgery waiting list?

The NHS Neurosurgery waiting list in England has about 55,786 patients currently waiting for treatment. The typical wait is around 14 weeks (3 months), based on data from 42 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 14 weeks. In our data it ranges from as short as 4 weeks at the fastest hospital to 26 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, 64% 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.