Neurology vs Neurosurgical NHS waiting times
Neurosurgical has the shorter median wait β 12.7 weeks versus 13.5 weeks for Neurology, a gap of 0.8 weeks (April 2026).
Side by side (April 2026)
| Measure | Neurology | Neurosurgical |
|---|---|---|
| Median waitHalf of patients had waited less than this, half more | 13.5 weeks | 12.7 weeks |
| Seen within 18 weeksNHS Constitution standard is 92% | 60.1% | 62.3% |
| Patients waitingOpen (incomplete) RTT pathways in England | 209,399 | 57,342 |
| Waiting over 18 weeksPatients already past the 18-week standard | 83,606 | 21,624 |
| Waiting over 52 weeksA year or more on the list | 2,063 | 844 |
National figures for England β your local NHS trust may be faster or slower. Both specialties are measured on the same NHS England RTT release, so the comparison is like-for-like.
Neurology
209,399 patients waiting, median 13.5 weeks, 60.1% seen within 18 weeks.
Full Neurology waiting times βNeurosurgical
57,342 patients waiting, median 12.7 weeks, 62.3% seen within 18 weeks.
Full Neurosurgical waiting times βFrequently asked questions
Is the NHS wait longer for Neurology or Neurosurgical?
In April 2026, Neurology had the longer median wait (13.5 weeks) and Neurosurgical the shorter (12.7 weeks) β a 0.8-week difference. These are national medians across all English NHS providers; your local wait can be shorter or longer.
How many people are waiting for Neurology vs Neurosurgical?
209,399 patients were on an incomplete Neurology pathway and 57,342 on a Neurosurgical pathway in England, April 2026 (NHS England Consultant-led RTT data).
What share are seen within 18 weeks?
60.1% of Neurology patients and 62.3% of Neurosurgical patients were seen within 18 weeks, against the 92% NHS Constitution standard. Nationally, 64.9% of all patients were seen within 18 weeks.
Can I be seen sooner privately?
Yes. A private consultation via GeraClinic is typically available within days rather than weeks, and you can stay on your NHS list at the same time. This page is for information only and is not medical advice.
Don't want to wait?
See a GeraClinic doctor privately β usually within days β while keeping your NHS referral.
Contains public sector information published by NHS England and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS England β Consultant-led Referral to Treatment (RTT) Waiting Times (April 2026, published June 2026). Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This directory is not affiliated with NHS England.
Informational/educational only β not a substitute for professional medical advice; a clinician interprets results.