Hip replacement · England
Can I get my NHS hip replacement at a private hospital?
Possibly. Some independent (private-sector) hospitals in England deliver hip replacements funded by the NHS, so you would not pay. Whether that is available to you depends on your area's NHS arrangements, the provider and your clinical situation, which the NHS must confirm. This page is about NHS-funded care, not paying for private treatment.
How NHS-funded care at an independent hospital works
Independent providers can be commissioned to deliver NHS care. When they are, NHS patients are treated under NHS rules and you do not pay for the treatment.
Not every independent hospital takes NHS patients for every procedure, and some only accept people who meet particular criteria.
What published evidence can and cannot show
The National Joint Registry (NJR) records which hospitals carried out primary total hip replacements. That shows a hospital does the operation — it is not a quality score, and a higher number does not mean better care.
It does not show whether that hospital takes NHS-funded patients from your area right now, or whether it would be suitable for you.
How to raise it
If you are already waiting, ask the hospital or your ICB whether an NHS-funded independent provider could be considered as a suitable alternative. Choosing a hospital when you are first referred (Patient Choice) and asking for an alternative provider because you are already waiting too long are two different routes, with different rules.
What this means for you
- Ask the NHS — not the independent hospital's marketing — whether NHS-funded treatment there is possible for you.
- Check whether you are at first referral or already waiting.
- Be wary of any service that suggests you must pay.
This guide gives administrative information for patients in England. It is not medical advice and cannot predict your operation date.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers first. Tap a question to read more.
Will I have to pay anything?
Not for NHS-funded treatment. If someone asks you to pay for the operation itself, that is private care, which is a different route not covered here.
See where you stand in 60 seconds
Use our free 18-week calculator to check whether your wait may have passed the NHS Referral to Treatment standard.
Sources & references4
Reviewed against publicly available NHS England RTT guidance and the NHS Constitution.
Editorial transparency
How this guide was put together
- Reviewed against the latest publicly available NHS England RTT statistics and guidance.
- Written and edited by the NHSWaitHelper editorial team.
- Cross-checked against the NHS Constitution and operational guidance.
- Independent — no paid hospital rankings, no hidden sponsorship.
NHSWaitHelper is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with the NHS. We do not provide medical or legal advice. Always speak to your GP, clinician, or a regulated adviser about your individual circumstances.