Jump the NHS waiting list for hip replacement: Get surgery in France

You are on the NHS waiting list for a hip replacement. The weeks go by, sometimes the months. The hip pain is there every day — walking, sleeping, climbing stairs. Your life quietly reorganises itself around what you can no longer do. What many UK patients do not yet know is that they have a concrete, safe and accessible alternative: getting their hip replacement surgery in France, at a private clinic, with waiting times that bear no comparison to the NHS.

This guide explains the real state of NHS waiting times, why France has become a serious option for British patients, and how ELSAN supports you every step of the way — from your first enquiry in the UK to your return home after surgery.

Key facts at a glance

• As of January 2026, the average NHS waiting time for a hip replacement in England is 27 to 40 weeks
• In some regions, patients wait more than 12 months
• The NHS 18-week standard is only met for 62% of patients across all specialties
• The government does not expect to restore the 92% standard until March 2029

• At ELSAN, the time between your first consultation and surgery is typically a matter of weeks

   

How long is the NHS waiting list for hip replacement?

The official target is 18 weeks from GP referral to first treatment. For orthopaedic surgery, it is rarely met.

According to NHS England's Referral to Treatment (RTT) data, only 62% of patients across all specialties began treatment within 18 weeks as of October 2025. For hip replacements specifically, waiting times are among the longest in the entire NHS system. As of January 2026, the average waiting time for a hip replacement in England is between 27 and 40 weeks — and in certain regions, it exceeds a full year.

The government has set a target of returning to the 92% standard by March 2029. That is not a reassuring figure if you are in pain today. It confirms that NHS waiting times for hip replacement surgery are unlikely to improve significantly in the near term.

Why waiting is not a neutral option

This is something patients are not always told clearly.

Hip pain caused by advanced hip osteoarthritis — the progressive wearing down of the hip joint — is not a background discomfort. It is the kind of pain that interrupts sleep, shortens walks and changes how you move through the world. A hip replacement is indicated precisely when this pain becomes disabling: persistent, resistant to medication, and significantly limiting daily function.

A prolonged wait does not simply delay the solution. It allows the problem to get worse.

Physically, the joint continues to deteriorate during the waiting period. Cartilage wears away further, bone can become deformed, and the surrounding muscles weaken from reduced activity. Over time, this can increase surgical complexity and extend recovery after the operation.

In terms of quality of life, the impact is immediate and cumulative:

• Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, driving or sleeping through the night
• Chronic hip pain that affects mood, concentration and energy
• Progressive isolation for those whose mobility is severely limited
• Extended time off work for patients still in employment

Waiting is not without consequence. It is precisely for these reasons that a growing number of British patients are choosing to have their hip replacement surgery in France rather than remain on the NHS list.

Why choose France for your hip replacement?

France has one of the highest-performing healthcare systems in Europe. French orthopaedic surgeons follow the same clinical protocols and guidelines as their British counterparts, with recognised expertise in hip arthroplasty — the surgical replacement of the hip joint. Hip replacements are among the most commonly performed procedures in France's private hospital sector, with consistently high outcomes.

For a British patient on the NHS waiting list, France offers a compelling set of advantages:

• Significantly shorter waiting times compared to NHS waiting times for hip replacement surgery
• High-quality surgical care and modern clinical facilities
• Personalised treatment in private clinics with dedicated care teams
• Easy geographic access — France is a few hours from most UK cities by Eurostar, direct flight or car

This is a medically serious choice. Thousands of international patients choose France for planned surgery each year, with outcomes fully comparable to those of leading hospitals across Europe.

Good to know: The NHS Right to Choose allows any patient referred by their GP to select their preferred NHS-approved provider. In practice, waiting times at most approved providers remain close to national averages for hip replacement surgery. Getting surgery in France remains the most effective way to significantly reduce your waiting time.

Hip replacement surgery at ELSAN: what to expect

ELSAN is France's largest private hospital group, with over 120 clinics and hospitals across the country. ELSAN's orthopaedic surgery teams perform several thousand hip arthroplasties every year, with consistently high clinical standards and patient outcomes.

How quickly can you be treated?

At ELSAN, the time between your first consultation and your hip replacement surgery is typically a matter of weeks — a significant difference compared to the months of waiting on the NHS.

The patient pathway is structured and clearly coordinated:

• Initial consultation with an ELSAN orthopaedic surgeon: clinical assessment, review of existing imaging, discussion of the procedure
• Pre-operative workup: anaesthesiology consultation, blood tests, specific planning X-rays
• Surgery scheduling, usually within a short time frame after your medical file is validated
• Hospital stay of 2 to 4 days on average for an uncomplicated total hip replacement
• Rehabilitation beginning the day after surgery, supervised by a physiotherapist

The surgery itself lasts between one and one and a half hours. Most patients take their first steps the following day.

What does it cost and can you get reimbursed?

The cost of a hip replacement at ELSAN is generally competitive compared to other private options (aside from the S2 program), for high-quality care. To receive a personalised quote, ELSAN's international patient team can be contacted directly.

Good to know: Some UK private health insurance policies cover planned surgical procedures at accredited overseas providers. Check your policy terms carefully before making any decisions.

ELSAN's international team: your dedicated point of contact

The most common question British patients ask when they first consider surgery in France is: "But how does it actually work, from the UK?"

ELSAN has a dedicated international patient team, specifically trained to support foreign patients at every stage of their care pathway. You will not have to navigate this alone, and you will not need to speak French.

Here is what the team handles on your behalf:

• Booking your consultation with the right orthopaedic surgeon for your situation, coordinated directly from the UK
• Pre-operative coordination, including the transfer of your existing medical documents — NHS consultation notes, MRI scans, X-rays — to the ELSAN surgical team
• Organising your stay in France: guidance on accommodation near your clinic, practical advice on travel and logistics
• Full communication in English throughout your entire care pathway, from first contact to post-operative follow-up
• Coordinating your return to the UK, including the transmission of your complete surgical and discharge documentation to your GP, so that your post-operative care at home is seamless

The goal is simple: you focus entirely on your health and your recovery. Everything else, the ELSAN international team takes care of.

To get in touch and receive a personalised first estimate, visit elsan.care or contact the international team directly.

Hip replacement recovery time: what to expect after surgery

Whether you have your hip replacement surgery in France or elsewhere, recovery follows the same stages.

From the day after the operation, rehabilitation begins: progressive mobilisation, first steps with crutches, and guided muscle work with a physiotherapist. Most patients are walking without a cane indoors by their one-month follow-up appointment.

Recovery milestones:

• Day 1 to Day 4: first steps, start of physiotherapy, discharge from clinic
• 1 to 3 months: return to daily activities, progressive weaning off crutches
• 3 to 6 months: functional recovery, return to light activities
• 6 to 12 months: full result, complete muscle recovery

Regarding your return to the UK, travel is generally possible 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, subject to your surgeon's assessment. The ELSAN international team coordinates the transmission of all your medical and discharge documents to your GP, ensuring full continuity of care when you are back home.

A few practical points to anticipate:

• Take out a travel and medical repatriation insurance policy before departure
• Keep your ELSAN surgeon's contact details with you when travelling
• Request a medical certificate confirming your implant before flying — the metal components of a hip prosthesis will trigger airport security scanners

Good to know: Modern hip implants are designed to last 15 to 20 years or more in the majority of patients, depending on age, activity level and implant type.