- Address
- Birmingham, B15 2GW
- Run by
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
- Type
- Major/district general hospital
- Region
- West Midlands, England
Check waiting times ↓ A&E waits ↓ Map and reviews → Phone and opening details →
Waiting times at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
67% waiting under 18 weeks. 94,792 people on the list.
65% under 18 weeks. The NHS constitution standard is 92% within 18 weeks.
| Specialty | Typical wait | Under 18 weeks | People waiting | England average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmology (eyes) | 12 weeks | 66% | 9,254 | 10 weeks longer |
| Gynaecology | 18 weeks | 49% | 8,758 | 14 weeks longer |
| Ear, nose and throat (ENT) | 12 weeks | 69% | 8,423 | 15 weeks shorter |
| Urology | 12 weeks | 65% | 6,612 | 12 weeks |
| Gastroenterology | 12 weeks | 65% | 6,505 | 11 weeks longer |
| Dermatology | 10 weeks | 72% | 5,807 | 10 weeks |
| Cardiology | 8 weeks | 88% | 5,036 | 12 weeks shorter |
| Orthopaedics (bones and joints) | 9 weeks | 77% | 4,540 | 14 weeks shorter |
| General surgery | 15 weeks | 58% | 4,503 | 13 weeks longer |
| Neurology | 16 weeks | 55% | 4,240 | 13 weeks longer |
| Respiratory medicine | 12 weeks | 68% | 2,950 | 10 weeks longer |
| Oral surgery | 19 weeks | 48% | 2,476 | 16 weeks longer |
| Neurosurgery | 15 weeks | 56% | 1,993 | 13 weeks longer |
| Rheumatology | 7 weeks | 85% | 1,012 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Plastic surgery | 12 weeks | 63% | 710 | 14 weeks shorter |
| General medicine | 6 weeks | 93% | 348 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Elderly medicine | 7 weeks | 90% | 266 | 7 weeks |
| Cardiothoracic surgery | 6 weeks | 84% | 186 | 10 weeks shorter |
"Typical wait" is the median time people currently on the waiting list have waited so far, from referral, for consultant-led treatment. Figures cover the whole of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, not just this hospital. Source: NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times, July 2026.
A&E waiting times
Across University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust's major A&E departments, August 2026 (33,685 attendances).
The NHS standard is 95% within 4 hours.
Share of patients who spent less than 4 hours in A&E from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. Source: NHS England, A&E attendances and emergency admissions. In an emergency, call 999.
Nearest private hospitals
| Private hospital | Group | CQC rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham | Practice Plus Group Hospitals Limited | Good | 0.0 miles |
| The Harborne Hospital | HCA Healthcare UK | — | 0.0 miles |
| The Hospital Group - Birmingham Edgbaston Clinic | The Hospital Group | — | 0.0 miles |
| The Westbourne Centre | Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Limited | Good | 0.0 miles |
| The Priory Hospital | Circle Health Group | Good | 1.1 miles |
Straight-line distances from the centre of this hospital's postcode district.
What it costs to go private
| Treatment | Typical self-pay price | |
|---|---|---|
| Cataract surgery | £2,000–£4,000 per eye | Price guide → |
| Adult tonsillectomy | £2,500–£4,500 | Price guide → |
| Colonoscopy | £2,000–£3,500 | Price guide → |
| Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) | £1,400–£2,700 | Price guide → |
| MRI scan | £250–£700 per body part | Price guide → |
| Private consultant appointment | £150–£300 | Price guide → |
UK-wide ranges from prices published by private hospitals. Ask any hospital above for a written quote.
Other NHS hospitals nearby
- City Hospital, Birmingham (2 miles)
- Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Smethwick (3 miles)
- Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham (3 miles)
- Sandwell General Hospital, West Bromwich (6 miles)
- Solihull Hospital, Solihull (7 miles)
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham?
At University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 12 weeks across all specialties in July 2026, and 67% had waited under 18 weeks. Ophthalmology (eyes) had the most people waiting (9,254). These figures cover the whole of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, so waits at this particular hospital may differ. See waiting times by specialty →
How long is the A&E wait at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham?
In August 2026, 58% of patients at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust's major A&E departments spent less than 4 hours in A&E, against an NHS standard of 95%. If it's not an emergency, NHS 111 can tell you where to go. See A&E waiting times →
Can I choose to be treated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham?
In England you usually have a legal right to choose which hospital you're referred to for your first outpatient appointment with a consultant, if you need non-urgent treatment. Ask your GP to refer you, or use the NHS App to compare options.
Where is the nearest private hospital to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham?
The nearest private hospital we list is Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham, about less than 1 mile away by straight-line distance. There are 5 private hospitals within 40 miles on this page. See the nearest private hospitals →
Can I pay to go private instead of waiting?
Yes. You can pay for a private consultation or treatment yourself, or use health insurance if you have it and the condition started after your cover began. You can usually go back to the NHS waiting list afterwards if you want to. Our price guides show typical self-pay costs.
Hospital details come from England's NHS organisation data. Check with the hospital before you travel, as services and departments change.