If you have been referred for elective surgery on the NHS, you may be wondering how long you will wait and whether there is a faster route. This guide explains how NHS waiting lists work, why they have grown, and the options open to patients who do not want to wait months for treatment.
How NHS waiting lists work
In England, the NHS aims to start treatment within 18 weeks of referral — the referral-to-treatment (RTT) target. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own systems with different targets and performance. Across all four nations, demand has outpaced capacity, and many patients now wait well beyond target for planned procedures.
Which procedures are most affected?
- Orthopaedic surgery, such as hip and knee replacement
- General surgery, including hernia repair
- Gynaecology and urology procedures
- Diagnostic imaging and endoscopy
What are your options?
Patients generally have three routes: continue waiting on the NHS, pay for private treatment in the UK (often expensive), or consider high-quality treatment abroad. For many, treatment in Spain offers a balance of fast access, modern facilities and transparent, fixed pricing.
How treatment abroad works in practice
At Hospital VOT in Madrid, you share your case once, receive a written plan and estimate, travel for diagnostics and surgery, and have your follow-up coordinated before you return home. Flights from across the UK to Madrid are short and frequent, making a planned medical trip practical.