Gallbladder removal waiting times on the NHS
The NHS waiting list for gallbladder removal is counted under general surgery: in August 2026, 9 in 10 people on it at a typical hospital had waited less than 35 weeks (NHS England). The figures on each hospital page are for general surgery as a whole.
Shortest waits for general surgery, August 2026
- Clementine Churchill Hospital 13 weeks most people Free on the NHS See this hospital
- Dorking Healthcare Limited (DHC) 13 weeks most people Free on the NHS See this hospital
- Independent Health Group 13 weeks most people Free on the NHS See this hospital
- KIMS Hospital (Newnham Court) 14 weeks most people Free on the NHS See this hospital
- Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, St Mary's Portsmouth 16 weeks most people Free on the NHS See this hospital
- Huddersfield Private Hospital 17 weeks most people Free on the NHS See this hospital
- Nuffield Health Highgate Hospital 17 weeks most people Free on the NHS See this hospital
- Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre - Gillingham 17 weeks most people Free on the NHS See this hospital
Every hospital in England, or pick your area: Enfield Manchester Birmingham Leeds Newcastle upon Tyne Sheffield Liverpool
Latest monthly: NHS England, . Data checked .
What the wait includes
Gallbladder surgery is usually planned as a keyhole day case once scans confirm gallstones are the cause. The wait includes the scan, the surgical outpatient appointment and the operation date. People admitted as an emergency with a severe attack are treated separately and do not appear in these figures.
Paying privately instead
Gallbladder removal: usually £7,000 to £9,000, guide price, checked October 2026. Sources
Paying could save around 27 weeks, at a typical cost of £8,000.
How to be treated sooner
General surgery is offered at many independent hospitals under NHS contract. If attacks are frequent or severe, that is relevant to your priority: tell your GP or the surgical team in writing.
Questions people ask
How long is the NHS waiting list for gallbladder removal?
Waits are published for general surgery as a whole, not gallbladder removal alone. In August 2026, at a typical hospital most people on the waiting list had waited less than 35 weeks; the shortest was Clementine Churchill Hospital, 13 weeks.
Does an emergency admission with gallstones count?
No. People admitted as an emergency are treated outside the planned waiting list and are not in these figures.
Are the scans part of the wait?
Yes. The clock runs from referral, so scans and the surgical clinic appointment before the operation are inside this wait.