Hospital care: costs and your rights

What does hospital care cost?

NHS hospitals

Free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the UK. You usually need a referral, except in an emergency.

Independent hospitals and clinics

Self-pay or private medical insurance. Many also treat NHS patients through an NHS referral, at no cost to the patient.

Each listing shows whether it is run by the NHS or is independent.

Your rights as an NHS patient

You can choose

You have the legal right to choose the hospital or service you go to, and the clinical team led by a consultant.

18 weeks

The maximum wait for non-urgent, consultant-led treatment is 18 weeks from when the hospital receives your referral or you book through the NHS e-Referral Service.

28 days for suspected cancer

After an urgent referral, cancer should be confirmed or ruled out within 28 days.

If the wait will be longer

You have the legal right to ask to be seen or treated by a different provider.

Getting to and from hospital

Free patient transport

Non-emergency patient transport services provide free transport for people whose condition means they need additional medical support during the journey, and for those who find it difficult to walk.

How to arrange it

Speak to your GP or the healthcare professional who referred you to hospital. Patient transport may not be available in all areas.

Help with travel costs

If you are referred for specialist NHS treatment or tests, you may be able to claim your travel costs back through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.