Hernia repair waiting times on the NHS
The NHS waiting list for hernia repair 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 below are for general surgery as a whole at each hospital. There is no published wait for hernia repair alone.
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
Most hernia repairs are day cases, open or keyhole. The wait covers the surgical appointment and the operation date. A hernia repaired as an emergency is not part of these figures.
Paying privately instead
Hernia repair: usually £3,600 to £4,450, guide price, checked October 2026. Sources
Paying could save around 27 weeks, at a typical cost of £4,000.
How to be treated sooner
Many independent hospitals repair hernias under NHS contract, so the hospitals marked "Free on the NHS" are often an option through your right to choose.
Questions people ask
How long is the NHS waiting list for hernia repair?
Waits are published for general surgery as a whole, not hernia repair 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.
Are groin and belly button hernias counted the same way?
Yes. Groin (inguinal), belly button (umbilical) and other hernia repairs are all counted under general surgery.
Is a keyhole repair a different wait?
No. Open and keyhole repairs are counted together, so the method does not change the figure shown.