Around 45,000 people in the UK are languishing on NHS waiting lists for hip replacements, with many waiting more than a year for treatment, according to new research. The agonising delays are driving patients to dig into their savings for private surgery or seek operations abroad.
England: 30,460 Patients Waiting, Average 34 Weeks
In England, 30,460 patients were on the hip replacement waiting list at the end of March, up from 29,776 the previous year. The average wait time is 34 weeks, far exceeding the 18-week target. The government insists that “nobody should be forced to go private for healthcare,” but many Britons are turning to the private sector to escape pain and regain mobility.
Scotland: 8,537 Awaiting Treatment, Nearly 39 Weeks Average
In Scotland, 8,537 people are awaiting hip replacement, with the average time from referral to treatment nearly 39 weeks (270 days). The delays are causing significant hardship for patients who often spend months or years managing their condition through physiotherapy, pain relief medication, injections, and lifestyle modifications before surgery is even recommended.
Wales: Worst Waits, Up to 76 Weeks
Waits are especially severe in Wales. At the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which serves Newport, Monmouth, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, and south Powys, the average wait for patients in the last year was 76 weeks. While this is down from 86 weeks in the previous 12 months, it is up from 68 weeks in 2023-24. A total of 1,657 people were on the list at the last count, and 55 patients were removed after going private in the last year.
Impact on Quality of Life and Finances
Sara Gezdari, of My Medical Gateway, which arranges for people to be treated in Europe, said: “Many people join NHS waiting lists after already spending months or years attempting to manage their condition through physiotherapy, pain relief medication, injections and lifestyle modifications. By the time surgery is recommended, they are often already struggling. The true impact of waiting is measured not in weeks but in declining quality of life due to increasing pain levels, sleep disruption, reduced mobility and more. The longer treatment is delayed, the greater the risk that these effects become entrenched.”
Ms Gezdari added: “The impact of delayed hip replacement surgery extends far beyond healthcare. Many patients continue working despite severe symptoms. As pain worsens, productivity often falls. Some reduce their hours. Others leave work entirely. The consequences can be particularly significant for self-employed individuals who depend upon physical mobility to earn a living. At a national level, delayed treatment contributes to lost productivity, increased welfare costs and growing demand for social care services. At an individual level, the financial impact can be life-changing.”
Government Response and Criticism
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Nobody should be forced to go private for healthcare. We’ve cut the overall waiting list by 340,000 since July 2024, and more people are getting hip replacements and similar treatments within 18 weeks of being referred. We know there is more work to do, but through record funding and harnessing the latest technology, we will make sure people get safe, timely care, free at the point of use.”
However, Shadow Secretary of State Stuart Andrew criticised the government: “Two years is far too long to wait for hip replacement surgery. Tens of thousands of people are suffering because of these delays. Labour’s weakness in the face of doctors’ strikes has compounded the problem. The Government must get a grip of this situation and ensure the backlog is cleared before it grows even larger.”
Companies are now offering services to help people obtain affordable private operations in hospitals overseas, highlighting the growing desperation among patients.
