- Address
- Kirkwall, KW15 1NZ
- Run by
- NHS Orkney
- Type
- Major/district general hospital
- Region
- NHS Orkney, Scotland
Check waiting times ↓ Map and reviews → Phone and opening details →
Waiting times at NHS Orkney
49% waiting under 12 weeks. 1,398 people on the list.
48% under 12 weeks. Scotland's standard is that new outpatients should wait no longer than 12 weeks.
| Specialty | Typical wait | Under 12 weeks | People waiting | Scotland average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthopaedics (bones and joints) | 12 weeks | 50% | 348 | 14 weeks shorter |
| Ear, nose and throat (ENT) | 17 weeks | 38% | 265 | 12 weeks longer |
| Ophthalmology (eyes) | 13 weeks | 47% | 218 | 15 weeks shorter |
| Oral Surgery | 14 weeks | 41% | 144 | 16 weeks shorter |
| Dermatology | 18 weeks | 32% | 115 | 14 weeks longer |
People waiting for inpatient or day-case treatment at NHS Orkney had waited a typical 17 weeks so far (41% under 12 weeks).
"Typical wait" is the median time people currently on the waiting list have waited so far for a first outpatient appointment. Figures cover the whole of NHS Orkney, not just this hospital. Source: Public Health Scotland, stage of treatment waiting times (new outpatients), August 2026.
What it costs to go private
| Treatment | Typical self-pay price | |
|---|---|---|
| Hip replacement | £13,000–£19,000 | Price guide → |
| Knee replacement | £13,500–£20,000 | Price guide → |
| Knee arthroscopy | £3,500–£6,500 | Price guide → |
| Carpal tunnel release | £1,800–£3,300 per hand | Price guide → |
| Adult tonsillectomy | £2,500–£4,500 | Price guide → |
| Cataract surgery | £2,000–£4,000 per eye | Price guide → |
UK-wide ranges from prices published by private hospitals. Ask any hospital above for a written quote.
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at The Balfour?
At NHS Orkney, which runs The Balfour, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 12 weeks across all specialties in August 2026, and 49% had waited under 12 weeks. Orthopaedics (bones and joints) had the most people waiting (348). These figures cover the whole of NHS Orkney, so waits at this particular hospital may differ. See waiting times by specialty →
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 Scotland's NHS organisation data. Check with the hospital before you travel, as services and departments change.