New figures show the wait patients face

Hip patients are waiting a year for hip surgery, new figures have claimed.

New data show that patients under Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust waited an average of 52 weeks for elective hip surgery between June 2025 and May 2026.

Healthcare marketplace, My Medical Gateway, sent a Freedom of Information request to Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to find out how long patients have been waiting for hip replacement surgery.

The findings show that patients were waiting an average of 52 weeks (364 days) before being treated.

In England, the formal interim target (launched in January 2025 and to be achieved by March 2026) is that 65% of patients are to be treated within 18 weeks from referral, alongside a target to reduce the proportion waiting over 52 weeks to less than 1% of the total waiting list.

This is an increase from recent years, with the average wait time for elective hip surgery from GP referral standing at 48 weeks in 2024/25 and 38 weeks in 2023/24.

As of May 2026, there were 565 patients waiting for elective hip surgery under Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

In light of the findings, Sara Gezdari, Head of Investor Relations at My Medical Gateway, has shared the physical and financial impacts of waiting for hip replacement surgery, as well as why patients are looking beyond the NHS for treatment:

She 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.”

Patients frequently experience:

Increasing pain levels
Sleep disruption
Reduced mobility
Loss of independence
Mental health challenges
Social isolation
Reduced physical fitness
Greater dependence on family members.

“The impact of delayed hip replacement surgery extends far beyond healthcare,” she added.

“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.”

“Private hip replacement surgery in the UK typically costs between £12,549 and £14,950. For many patients, this is a significant financial commitment. However, the calculation is often broader than the treatment price alone.

“Patients frequently compare the cost of surgery against months of pain, reduced mobility, lost earnings and declining independence. Many conclude that earlier treatment offers both health and economic benefits.”

The emergence of accredited European healthcare providers has created additional options for UK patients.

Average hip replacement costs across many European providers are approximately £9,088, around 27% lower than typical UK private healthcare prices.

The cost difference is substantial, but it is not the only factor driving interest. My Medical Gateway European hospitals can offer consultations, diagnostics and surgery within weeks rather than months. For patients who have already spent considerable time navigating NHS waiting lists, this can be highly attractive.”