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NHS waiting times
Data through August 2026. NHS source.
Septoplasty (deviated septum) is usually treated within the NHS Ear Nose and Throat Service pathway. The national median wait so far is 14 weeks across 165 NHS trusts and independent providers reporting to the NHS. It is time waited since referral by people still waiting on the whole Ear Nose and Throat Service list, not a wait for septoplasty (deviated septum) on its own. On that list, 6 in 10 patients have waited less than 18 weeks, the maximum wait set out in the Handbook to the NHS Constitution for non-urgent consultant-led treatment (the 18-week standard is at least 92%). The wait at any individual hospital can be materially shorter or longer than this national median — the ranking below shows the shortest-wait trusts first.
On the ENT list, the middle of the providers' median waits so far is 14 weeks as of August 2026, across 165 NHS trusts and independent providers reporting to the NHS, and 9 in 10 current patients are within 40 weeks. But the wait varies significantly between trusts — see the full ranking to find the shortest wait near you.
The median shows time waited so far by the current list — a new routine referral will often wait longer. Why these differ →
Up to 10 acute and specialist NHS trusts with 50 or more people on the Ear Nose and Throat Service waiting list, ranked by shortest median wait. Community and mental-health trusts, smaller lists and independent providers are on the full ranking: See all trusts on the Ear Nose and Throat Service national page →
NHS England's monthly waiting-list figures have no line for septoplasty (deviated septum surgery). These cover the whole ENT list, as time waited so far.
The published wait counts the steps from referral to the start of treatment.
A surgical procedure to correct a deviated nasal septum (the cartilage and bony structure that separates the nostrils).(GIRFT)
Medical treatment: 3 month trial of nasal saline, steroid, antihistamine spray(GIRFT)
Default should be a day case unless clear medical or surgical indications for overnight stay(GIRFT)
Your options: when your GP refers you, you can usually choose the provider, among those clinically appropriate. Waited, or will wait, more than 18 weeks for non-urgent consultant-led treatment? You can ask the hospital or your integrated care board for another provider; it is not always possible.
It's not usually available on the NHS for cosmetic reasons, but may be provided on the NHS if it's needed to help you breathe.(nhs.uk)
Hospitals ranked by shortest wait within travelling distance of each city.
The ranking above is national. To rank hospitals by distance from your postcode, search with your postcode below.