Hip replacement · England
I’ve had my pre-op but still have no hip replacement date
Waiting for a date after a pre-op assessment is frustrating but not unusual in England. Pre-op confirms some things are in place; it does not reserve theatre time. The most useful step is a short, specific conversation with the booking team.
Why a date may not follow straight away
Theatre lists depend on surgeons, beds, staffing and clinical priority across all patients. A completed pre-op does not move you ahead of others.
Published hospital figures cannot fill the gap. Published NHS waiting figures are reported for the whole Trauma and Orthopaedics specialty, which covers many conditions and operations. They are not a hip-replacement-specific wait and cannot predict your own operation date.
What to ask the booking team
- Is my pre-op complete with nothing outstanding?
- Am I now in the pool for booking?
- Does my pre-op expire, and what happens if it does?
- Can you tell me anything about likely timing?
If the wait keeps going
If you are likely to wait longer than the maximum waiting time that applies to you (generally 18 weeks from referral for non-urgent consultant-led treatment), you can ask the hospital or your local integrated care board (ICB) to look into suitable alternative providers that could see or treat you sooner. Exceptions apply — for example if you choose to wait longer or delaying is clinically appropriate — and it is not an automatic transfer.
What this means for you
- Confirm nothing is outstanding.
- Ask whether your pre-op has an expiry.
- Ask about alternatives if you are past the maximum wait.
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.
Is there a standard time from pre-op to surgery?
No national standard exists, and it varies widely by hospital. Ask your hospital rather than relying on averages.
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.