If you have been referred for treatment through the NHS and are currently waiting for an appointment or procedure, you may be wondering whether you can explore private healthcare as well.
This is a common question for people waiting for planned orthopaedic treatment, including hip and knee replacement surgery.
So, can you go private while on an NHS waiting list?
The answer is yes, you can choose to explore private healthcare after receiving an NHS referral. However, there are important rules around moving between NHS and private care, particularly if you decide to have the same treatment privately.
Understanding how the two pathways work can help you make an informed decision about your care.
Can I go private after an NHS referral?
Yes. Having an NHS referral does not prevent you from seeking private medical advice or treatment.
NHS England’s national elective access policy states that patients can move between NHS and private status during their treatment without prejudice. However, if a patient tells their NHS provider that they have decided to seek private care, their NHS referral-to-treatment pathway is closed and the NHS waiting-time clock is stopped from the date the provider is notified.
This distinction is important.
You may be able to have a private consultation while continuing with your NHS pathway. However, choosing to have your treatment privately is different from simply seeking an additional opinion.
If you are considering moving from NHS to private care, speak to the NHS team managing your treatment so you understand what will happen to your existing referral and waiting-list position.
Can I have a private consultation while on the NHS waiting list?
A private consultation and private treatment are not necessarily the same thing.
You can choose to seek a private consultation to discuss your condition, diagnosis or treatment options. For example, someone waiting for assessment or treatment for a painful hip may decide to see a private orthopaedic consultant to understand whether hip replacement could be appropriate.
A consultation does not automatically mean you have committed to private surgery.
If you are considering a private consultation, it is still important to tell the private consultant about your existing NHS care and provide relevant medical information where appropriate. This can help the consultant understand your medical history and current treatment pathway.
If you subsequently decide to proceed with private treatment, check with your NHS provider before making that decision so that you understand the effect on your NHS pathway.
Can I stay on the NHS waiting list if I have private treatment?
This is where the distinction between private consultation and private treatment becomes particularly important.
NHS England’s national policy states that when a patient notifies their NHS provider that they have decided to seek private care, their NHS referral-to-treatment pathway is closed and the referral-to-treatment clock is stopped.
Therefore, you should not assume that you can have the same operation privately while retaining your existing NHS waiting-list position as a back-up.
The arrangements can also depend on the stage of your NHS treatment and your individual circumstances. If you are considering private surgery, ask your NHS provider what will happen to your referral before formally transferring your care.
This can help you make a decision based on accurate information rather than assumptions about how the two systems interact.
What if I only want a second opinion?
Seeking another medical opinion can be useful when you want more information about your diagnosis or treatment options.
For example, if you have been told that you may need a hip replacement, a private consultation could give you an opportunity to discuss the proposed procedure, alternatives and what recovery might involve.
At Transform Medical, your consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with a consultant. Your consultant will assess your joint and recommend an appropriate treatment based on your individual circumstances.
Importantly, seeking a consultation does not mean that surgery will necessarily be recommended.
Joint replacement is a significant procedure, and whether it is appropriate depends on factors including your symptoms, diagnosis, medical history and overall suitability for surgery.
Can I switch from NHS to private hip replacement?
If you are already waiting for a hip replacement through the NHS, you can choose to explore private hip replacement.
The decision to move to private treatment is personal and may depend on a range of factors, including your circumstances, treatment preferences and ability to fund private care.
At Transform Medical, we provide private hip replacement surgery with an all-inclusive fixed price currently from £10,995. This includes your consultant-led surgery, hospital stay and medication, hip implant, physiotherapy and post-operative follow-up.
We can also arrange surgery within 21 days, subject to your consultation and assessment, clinical suitability and availability.
The private pathway begins with an initial consultation. Your consultant will assess your hip and discuss whether replacement surgery is appropriate for you.
You can read more about the differences between NHS and private treatment in our Private vs NHS Hip Replacement guide.
What are the differences between NHS and private hip replacement?
Both NHS and private healthcare provide access to hip replacement for patients who are clinically suitable, but there can be differences in how the treatment pathway is organised.
When considering private hip replacement, factors such as waiting times, consultant choice, aftercare and long-term support may all be important when deciding which treatment pathway is right for you.
With private care at Transform Medical, you can choose your consultant and discuss your preferred appointment and surgery dates, subject to availability. We also provide a structured aftercare programme, including physiotherapy, rehabilitation guidance and follow-up care.
Our private hip replacement pathway includes a five-year follow-up programme, providing continued follow-up after your surgery.
NHS treatment is free at the point of access for eligible patients, whereas private treatment is self-funded.
These differences may be relevant when you are deciding which pathway is appropriate for your circumstances.
Can I switch from NHS to private knee replacement?
The same general principles apply if you are considering private knee replacement after an NHS referral.
You can explore private treatment, but you should understand what this means for your NHS pathway before deciding to proceed.
At Transform Medical, we provide private knee replacement surgery with a treatment pathway that includes consultant-led care, hospital treatment, physiotherapy and post-operative follow-up. Our all-inclusive fixed price is currently from £10,995.
Knee replacement may be considered where conditions such as osteoarthritis or injury have caused ongoing knee pain and non-surgical treatments are no longer providing sufficient benefit. However, suitability for surgery is assessed individually.
Our Private vs NHS Knee Replacement guide provides further information about differences between the two pathways, including aspects such as timing, consultant choice and aftercare.
Does going private mean treatment will happen immediately?
Private healthcare can provide a different route to treatment, but a consultation and clinical assessment are still required before surgery.
At Transform Medical, we can arrange hip and knee replacement surgery within 21 days, subject to your consultation, pre-operative assessment, clinical suitability and availability. This timeframe is not a guarantee and may vary depending on your individual circumstances.
Your consultant will determine whether surgery is appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
This is particularly important with joint replacement, because symptoms can have different causes and not every patient experiencing hip or knee pain will require surgery.
How much does private treatment cost?
Private treatment involves paying for your care, either directly or through an available finance arrangement.
At Transform Medical, our fixed-price hip and knee replacement surgery is currently from £10,995. Prices may change, so we recommend checking the current price when considering treatment.
Our fixed-price treatment includes consultant-led surgery, your hospital stay and medication, the implant, physiotherapy and post-operative follow-up.
If you are considering spreading the cost of your treatment, we also provide finance options to help you understand the ways you may be able to pay for your care.
It is important to understand the terms of any finance agreement, including the amount borrowed, repayment period, interest and total amount payable, before entering into an agreement.
You can find further information on our Finance page.
What should I ask before moving from NHS to private care?
If you are considering private treatment while already on an NHS pathway, taking time to understand the practical and financial implications can help.
You may want to ask:
- What stage is my NHS treatment currently at?
- What happens to my NHS referral if I decide to have treatment privately?
- Will my NHS waiting-list position be affected?
- What treatment has my NHS team recommended?
- Is private treatment clinically appropriate for me?
- What does the private treatment price include?
- Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?
- What follow-up and rehabilitation are included?
- What are the terms of any finance arrangement?
- What happens if my circumstances change before surgery?
Your private consultant can discuss the medical aspects of your treatment, while your NHS provider can explain what happens to your NHS pathway if you decide to transfer to private care.
What happens if I change my mind?
If you have private treatment and subsequently want NHS treatment, you should not assume that you will simply return to your previous position on an NHS waiting list.
The process for moving from private to NHS care can involve a new referral and assessment, depending on the circumstances and local arrangements.
The NHS pathway is managed according to clinical need and the applicable referral and waiting-time rules. NHS England’s national policy confirms that patients can move between NHS and private status, but the relevant waiting-time rules apply when they do so.
For this reason, it is worth finding out how your NHS pathway would be affected before deciding to proceed privately.
Do I have to choose private treatment?
No.
If you are already receiving care through the NHS, you can continue with that pathway if it remains the right option for you.
Exploring private healthcare is simply another option available to eligible patients who choose to fund their own treatment. There is no requirement to move to private care because you have received an NHS referral.
The decision may depend on your individual circumstances, clinical needs and preferences.
Is going private while on an NHS waiting list right for me?
There is no universal answer.
Some people may decide that private treatment suits their circumstances. Others may prefer to continue with their NHS pathway. Both are legitimate choices, and the decision should be based on accurate information about your treatment, circumstances and available options.
If you are considering private hip or knee replacement, a consultation can help you understand whether surgery may be suitable for you and what the private treatment pathway involves.
At Transform Medical, your treatment journey begins with an initial consultation and assessment by a consultant. We’ll discuss your symptoms, assess your individual circumstances and talk through the treatment options that may be appropriate for you.
Making an informed decision about your care
Being on an NHS waiting list does not prevent you from exploring private healthcare.
You can seek information, have a private consultation and discuss your treatment options. If you decide to have the same treatment privately, however, it is important to understand what this means for your NHS referral and waiting-list position.
If you are considering a switch from NHS to private hip replacement, or are exploring private knee replacement, take time to understand the treatment, costs, finance arrangements and aftercare available.
Most importantly, make the decision that is appropriate for your own circumstances.
At Transform Medical, we provide private hip and knee replacement surgery with consultant-led assessment, fixed-price treatment and structured aftercare. If you’re considering private joint replacement, you can arrange a consultation with us to discuss your symptoms, circumstances and treatment options.
Individual results and experiences vary. Surgery carries risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Your consultant will discuss the potential benefits, risks and alternatives with you before you decide whether to proceed.