If you require orthopaedic surgery, this is provided by the NHS at no cost to the patient. The surgery takes place in a hospital, though there can be some months of recovery following the procedure. A successful orthopaedic surgery can greatly improve mobility and quality of life, but can involve long waiting times and limited choice of surgeon and location.

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This guide explains what you can expect when undergoing an orthopaedic procedure through the NHS.

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Pathway

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Step 1: Visit Your GP

Your journey might begin with a visit to your GP, who will assess your condition and make a recommendation based on your local referral guidelines regarding Orthopaedic surgery assessment. With cases requiring who will assess your condition and decide if a referral to an orthopaedic specialist is necessary. If so, your GP will either refer you to a specific hospital or you can use the NHS e-Referral Service, through which you'll receive an email link to book your initial consultation online using your NHS account.

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Step 2: Initial Consultation

Once referred, you'll meet with an orthopaedic consultant at an NHS hospital or clinic. During this initial consultation, the consultant will assess your images and potentially request further imaging studies or tests towards planning your best treatment options. If surgery is required, they will confirm the need for a hip replacement and explain the procedure, benefits, risks, and expected outcomes.

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Step 3: Waiting Times and Booking Surgery

After your consultation, if surgery is necessary, you’ll be placed on the NHS waiting list. Waiting times for surgery can vary, often ranging from 12 to 18 weeks or more* and may vary between hospitals. Your waiting time starts from when the hospital or service receives your referral letter, or when you book your first appointment through the NHS e-Referral Service. To get more detailed information about current NHS waiting times, visit the official NHS website here and find specific information about waiting times at your hospital here. 

_{*As of June 2024, approximately 50% of trauma and orthopaedic patients did not receive treatment within 18 weeks.} 

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Step 4: Pre-Surgery Preparation

Before your surgery, you will attend pre-operative assessments, which may include blood tests, X-rays, and an ECG. These tests ensure you're ready for the operation. You'll also receive information on what to expect during and after surgery.

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Step 5: Surgery Day and Recovery

Surgery may be performed as a day case procedure with same day discharge or as an in-patient requiring an overnight stay (or occasionally for even longer) After the surgery, if you need to, you'll stay in the hospital for a few days until you're ready to go home. Post-operative care depends on each case and will likely require physiotherapy and regular follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery.

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Going private

Due to the sometimes lengthy NHS waiting periods of several weeks to months, As an alternative to the NHS, some patients choose to undergo surgery through private healthcare, either self-paying for surgery or private medical insurance. Choosing these options can mean your surgery is scheduled within days or weeks of your initial consultation. Private care also offers you more choice in selecting your surgeon and the hospital location, providing a more personalised and convenient experience.

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Self-paying for surgery

When self-paying, you are expected to fully pay for all the costs of the surgery and any other costs in providing the service to you. Costs for surgery can vary widely depending on the facility and the surgeon, so it's important to obtain quotes and understand what is included in the fee (e.g. consultations, surgery, follow-up care). Self-paying for your surgery allows you to have full choice and control of your options regarding treatment.

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Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

Private medical insurance is a policy you purchase to cover the cost of private healthcare. These might be purchased from your employer, insurance brokers or individual companies  If you have PMI, your insurer might cover all or part of your treatment expenses, though you may still need to pay an excess fee depending on your policy. PMI offers the advantage of reduced waiting times, the ability to choose your surgeon, and access to private hospital facilities. However, it's essential to ensure that your insurer pre-authorises the treatment before you proceed, as failure to do so could result in unexpected out-of-pocket costs.