Hip replacement · England
I haven’t had an update about my NHS hip replacement
If you have not heard from the hospital for months, you can ask for an update. NHS England's minimum standards for planned care, published in July 2026, say patients should expect an update at least every 12 weeks while waiting. They are minimum standards hospitals are expected to meet, not legal rights — but they are a fair basis for asking.
What the minimum standards say
The standards cover communication while you wait, including regular updates at least every 12 weeks, as well as referral confirmation, appointment notice and cancellations.
If a standard is not met, NHS England suggests raising it with the hospital's PALS team.
How to ask for an update
Contact the waiting-list team and ask:
- Can you confirm I am still on the list for a hip replacement?
- What is my referral-to-treatment clock start date?
- Is there any update on timing?
- How often should I expect to hear from you?
If you think you were missed
Occasionally patients drop off lists through administrative errors. If the hospital cannot find you, ask them to investigate urgently and involve PALS.
What this means for you
- Ask for an update and note the date.
- Ask how often you will be contacted.
- Contact PALS if you cannot get a response.
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.
Has the hospital broken the law if I get no update for 12 weeks?
Not necessarily. The minimum standards are expectations set by NHS England, not statutory rights. They are still a reasonable basis for raising the issue with PALS.
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 & references3
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.