NHS Neurosurgery Referral Waiting Times in Birmingham

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a neurosurgeon is

13 weeks

That's 3 months

The NHS Neurosurgery waiting list at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust currently has 1,791 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 13 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Neurosurgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the Midlands region. Waits at this hospital are about 1.4 week shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 11 places in the national league for this department's; now 22 out of 42 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
13.4weeks
▼ -1.4 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +5.2 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
1.8k
▼ -153
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
0
▼ -22
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
1,791
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
34 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
114 people
waiting for a surgery date
Already been told they need an operation

Wait time over time

Median wait for this department, with the national average as a dashed line.

▼ -1.4 wks

How long are people waiting?

Distribution of patients by how many weeks they've been on the waiting list.

How does this compare?

The national average wait to see a neurosurgeon is about 14 weeks. This hospital is about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 22nd out of 42 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 3rd out of 8 in Midlands

What does Neurosurgery cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

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

Hospital contact

Main hospital switchboard. ask to be connected to the department.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2GW
0121 371 2000
NHS Birmingham And Solihull Integrated Care Board

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

No reviews yet. Be the first to leave one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Neurosurgery waiting list at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust?

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 1,791 patients on its Neurosurgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 13 weeks.

Does University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Neurosurgery?

About 64% of Neurosurgery patients at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust are currently seen within 18 weeks of GP referral. The NHS constitutional target is 92%.

Can I choose a different hospital if the Neurosurgery wait is too long?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England can ask their GP to refer them to any hospital that provides NHS care. Use WaitRadar to compare Neurosurgery waiting times at other NHS hospitals near you before accepting a referral.

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