Procedure · General Surgery
Appendix removal NHS waiting times
Also known as appendectomy
Waiting-list data: July 2026Published by NHS England on · next release expected 8 October 2026 · sources
Removing the appendix. It is usually an emergency operation, so it does not normally involve a waiting list. On the NHS it is carried out by general surgery teams. In July 2026, half of the 383,577 people waiting for general surgery in England had waited longer than 12.6 weeks.
Median wait, general surgery
12.6 weeks
▼ −0.5 wk vs previous month
Waiting under 18 weeks
63.0%
NHS standard: 92%
People waiting in England
383,577
▲ +726 vs previous month
Waiting over 52 weeks
8,159
Shortest general surgery waits in England
Providers with at least 500 patients waiting, sorted by median wait so far (July 2026). Includes independent hospitals that treat NHS patients.
| Hospital / provider | Median | Under 18 wks |
|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals DorsetSouth West | 3.4 weeks | 90.3% |
| Gateshead HealthNorth East & Yorkshire | 5.2 weeks | 92.1% |
| South Tyneside and SunderlandEast of England | 6.5 weeks | 83.6% |
| Tees Valley Hospital | 6.9 weeks | 78.2% |
| The One Health Group plc | 7.5 weeks | 87.1% |
| Tameside and Glossop Integrated CareNorth West | 7.6 weeks | 77.3% |
| Buckshaw Hospital | 7.7 weeks | 81.5% |
| Fulwood Hall Hospital | 7.8 weeks | 81.8% |
| London Independent Hospital | 7.9 weeks | 86.3% |
| Northumbria HealthcareNorth East & Yorkshire | 8.2 weeks | 92.4% |
| AiredaleYorkshire & the Humber | 8.4 weeks | 73.5% |
| Practice Plus Group Hospital - Southampton | 8.5 weeks | 82.8% |
General Surgery waits by region
Share of patients waiting under 18 weeks, July 2026.
- North East & Yorkshire75.3%20,902 waiting
- Yorkshire & the Humber65.9%34,592 waiting
- East Midlands64.5%26,681 waiting
- South West62.4%18,269 waiting
- South East61.9%53,545 waiting
- West Midlands61.2%46,069 waiting
- East of England59.6%53,033 waiting
- North West58.5%43,129 waiting
- London57.6%53,845 waiting
General Surgery in England, last 13 months
% waiting under 18 weeks
Show month-by-month figures
| Month | Waiting | Within 18 wks | Over 52 wks |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 383,577 | 63.0% | 8,159 |
| June 2026 | 382,851 | 63.0% | 7,491 |
| May 2026 | 382,013 | 62.7% | 7,105 |
| April 2026 | 382,295 | 62.7% | 6,414 |
| March 2026 | 376,693 | 62.9% | 5,927 |
| February 2026 | 385,499 | 60.3% | 8,207 |
| January 2026 | 386,565 | 59.5% | 8,958 |
| December 2025 | 386,066 | 60.1% | 9,228 |
| November 2025 | 381,777 | 61.0% | 9,691 |
| October 2025 | 392,001 | 61.2% | 10,232 |
| September 2025 | 394,291 | 61.8% | 10,944 |
| August 2025 | 396,097 | 61.1% | 11,402 |
| July 2025 | 395,792 | 61.1% | 11,136 |
Waiting a long time for appendix removal?
In England you can usually choose which hospital you are referred to, including independent hospitals that treat NHS patients.
How the right to choose worksQuestions about appendix removal waits
How long is the NHS waiting list for appendix removal?
NHS England does not publish waits for individual operations. Appendix removal is managed by general surgery teams: in July 2026, 383,577 people in England were waiting for general surgery treatment, half had waited longer than 12.6 weeks and 63.0% had waited under 18 weeks. Waits vary a lot between hospitals.
Which hospitals have the shortest waits for appendix removal?
Among larger providers, the shortest general surgery median waits in July 2026 were at University Hospitals Dorset (3.4 weeks), Gateshead Health (5.2 weeks), South Tyneside and Sunderland (6.5 weeks). Check the provider treats your condition before asking to be referred there.
Can I get appendix removal faster on the NHS?
In England you can usually choose which hospital you are referred to, including independent hospitals that treat NHS patients. Choosing a provider with a shorter list is the main legitimate way to be treated sooner.
Can I pay for appendix removal privately?
Yes. Private hospitals publish their own self-pay prices, which vary by hospital and by what is included (consultations, scans, follow-up). Ask for a fixed all-inclusive price and check the hospital on the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN).
Related procedures
Sources: NHS England statistics on referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times (July 2026), A&E attendances (August 2026), diagnostic waiting times (DM01) and cancer waiting times, published 10 September 2026; hospital sites from the nhs.uk organisation data. Figures are checked against the official national totals before every update.
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