National

Ophthalmology Service waiting times across England

Every NHS hospital that publishes data for this specialty, ranked by shortest median wait. Data through March 2026. NHS source.

345

Trusts

603,966

On the list

7 wks

National median

73%

Within 18 weeks

What this means for you

Wait times for Ophthalmology Service vary by 20 weeks across England

Fastest: ACES HARLEY STREET — 1-week wait.
Slowest: NUFFIELD HEALTH, NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOSPITAL — 21-week wait.
18-week target: 73% of patients seen within 18 weeks — below the NHS Constitution standard of 92%.

Use NHS Right to Choose to switch trusts — your GP cannot refuse a non-clinical switch under the NHS Constitution.

National median wait — 12 months

Median of trust-level medians across all NHS providers (proxy for true national median; methodology limitation noted on /methodology).

Source: NHS England RTT · Analysis: Doctor Data Ltd

Ranked NHS hospitals — shortest wait first

Showing all 345 trusts with published Ophthalmology Service data. Want to filter by distance from your postcode? Search by postcode →

Private alternatives

Editorial listings showing publicly published guide prices. Not affiliated.

Private alternativeNot affiliated with the NHS

SpaMedica

Various locations

£2,500

From

1–3 wks

Typical wait

Cataract surgery

Procedure

View pricing on SpaMedica

Pricing is indicative, taken from publicly published guides. We do not have a commercial relationship with this provider.

Private healthcare data is less standardised than NHS data. Waits, prices, and outcomes vary by case and surgeon. Use this listing as a starting point — not a final comparison. Quality varies between providers; check CQC ratings.

Private alternativeNot affiliated with the NHS

Nuffield Health (cataract surgery)

Various locations

£3,200

From

2–4 wks

Typical wait

Cataract surgery

Procedure

View pricing on Nuffield Health

Pricing is indicative, taken from publicly published guides. We do not have a commercial relationship with this provider.

Private alternativeNot affiliated with the NHS

Spire Healthcare (cataract surgery)

Various locations

£2,950

From

2–4 wks

Typical wait

Cataract surgery

Procedure

View pricing on Spire

Pricing is indicative, taken from publicly published guides. We do not have a commercial relationship with this provider.

Wait times for Ophthalmology Service vary by 20 weeks across England

National median wait — 12 months

Ranked NHS hospitals — shortest wait first

RUNNYMEDE HOSPITAL

NEWMEDICA OPHTHALMOLOGY - NUNEATON - CAMP HILL - GP LED HEALTH CENTRE

SPAMEDICA SHEFFIELD COMMUNITY DIAGNOSTIC & TREATMENT CENTRE

EYE CARE MEDICAL LTD

ACES HARLEY STREET

SPAMEDICA BRISTOL

SPAMEDICA BEXHILL

SPAMEDICA KENDAL

SPAMEDICA SWINDON

WOODLAND HOSPITAL

ACES SOUTHAMPTON - EAST ST

BENENDEN HOSPITAL

ACES LINCOLN

SPAMEDICA OXFORD

ANGLIA COMMUNITY EYE SERVICE - THETFORD HEALTHY LIVING CENTRE

PRACTICE PLUS GROUP SURGICAL CENTRE - GILLINGHAM

SPAMEDICA COVENTRY

PRACTICE PLUS GROUP HOSPITAL - ILFORD

SPAMEDICA DERBY

PRACTICE PLUS GROUP HOSPITAL - PLYMOUTH

SPAMEDICA EPSOM

SPAMEDICA WIDNES

NEWMEDICA - NOTTINGHAM - KEYWORTH

SPAMEDICA WIRRAL

SPAMEDICA GLOUCESTER

SPAMEDICA EYE HOSPITAL (WAKEFIELD)

SPAMEDICA SITTINGBOURNE

ANGLIA COMMUNITY EYE SERVICES FAKENHAM

SPAMEDICA SHEFFIELD

ACES LAKESIDE

INDEPENDENT HEALTH GROUP

SPAMEDICA BRIGHTON

SPAMEDICA WATFORD

PRACTICE PLUS GROUP HOSPITAL - SOUTHAMPTON

SPAMEDICA SKELMERSDALE

SPAMEDICA DALSTON

SPAMEDICA HAYDOCK

ACES SOUTHAMPTON

SPAMEDICA HEREFORD DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CENTRE

SPAMEDICA COLCHESTER

PHOENIX HEALTH SOLUTIONS LIMITED HQ

NORWICH & NORFOLK SURGICAL LTD (N2S)

SPAMEDICA BLACKPOOL

THE WALTON CENTRE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

SPAMEDICA TRURO

SPAMEDICA GUILDFORD

PRACTICE PLUS GROUP SURGICAL CENTRE - ST MARYS PORTSMOUTH

SPAMEDICA DONCASTER

SPAMEDICA PRESTON

OPTEGRA (SOLENT EYE HOSPITAL)

SPAMEDICA BEDFORD

OPTEGRA (SURREY EYE HOSPITAL)

SPAMEDICA LIVERPOOL

SPAMEDICA BOLTON

SPAMEDICA HULL

SPAMEDICA WOLVERHAMPTON

SPAMEDICA BRADFORD

SPAMEDICA WEMBLEY

SPAMEDICA BROMLEY

OPTEGRA EYE HOSPITAL PRESTON

TETBURY HOSPITAL TRUST LTD

NEWMEDICA - WORKSOP - DUKERIES

NEWMEDICA - WORCESTER

SPAMEDICA CHESTER

OPTEGRA EYE HOSPITAL BRIGHTON

WALSALL HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST

SPAMEDICA MACCLESFIELD COMMUNITY DIAGNOSTIC & TREATMENT CENTRE

OPTEGRA EYE HOSPITAL MAIDSTONE

SPAMEDICA DORCHESTER

SPAMEDICA LEEDS

SPAMEDICA SALE

SPAMEDICA WORCESTER

SPAMEDICA LUTON

SPAMEDICA CHESTERFIELD

PRACTICE PLUS GROUP HOSPITAL BIRMINGHAM

THE WESTBOURNE CENTRE

WOODTHORPE HOSPITAL