Hip replacement · England
I’m on the NHS hip replacement waiting list but have no operation date
Having no operation date while on the NHS hip replacement list is common in England. It usually means the hospital has not yet scheduled you, not that you have been forgotten. You can ask for an update, confirm your waiting details and, if you are likely to wait too long, ask about alternatives.
What having no date usually means
Many hospitals only book a date a few weeks before surgery, once theatre lists are planned. Others hold a list and book in clinical priority and waiting-time order.
No date does not tell you how long you will wait, and published figures cannot fill that 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 hospital
Contact the waiting-list or booking team and ask:
- Can you confirm I am on the list, and my referral-to-treatment start date?
- Is there anything outstanding before I can be booked, such as a pre-op assessment?
- Can you tell me anything about likely timing, even if only approximate?
- How will you keep me updated?
Updates while you wait
NHS England's minimum standards for planned care (July 2026) say patients waiting for planned care should expect an update at least every 12 weeks. These are expected minimum standards, not legal rights, but they are a fair basis for asking.
If you are likely to wait too long
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
- Ask for confirmation of your listing and clock start date.
- Ask how and when you will be updated.
- If your wait is long, see whether another NHS-funded provider may be worth asking about.
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.
Should I keep calling for a date?
Calling occasionally to confirm your details and ask for an update is reasonable. If you cannot get an answer, the hospital's PALS team can help.
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.