Cataract surgery in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire: NHS Wait vs Private Cost
If you need a cataract surgery in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, here's the typical NHS waiting time versus what it costs to go private — updated for 2026.
How long is the NHS wait for a cataract surgery in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire?
In Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, the typical NHS waiting time for ophthalmology procedures such as cataract surgery is around 24 weeks from referral to treatment. Waits vary by hospital within the region and change month to month — and under NHS Right to Choose you can ask to be referred to a faster provider elsewhere in England at no cost.
What does a private cataract surgery cost?
Going private for a cataract surgery in the UK typically costs between £1,000 and £2,500, with an average around £1,500. Self-pay patients are usually seen within 2–3 weeks, compared with the 24-week NHS wait in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire — a saving of roughly 21 weeks.