When it comes to regaining mobility and returning to life without delay, orthopaedic surgery needn’t mean endless waits. Unfortunately, current NHS orthopaedic waiting lists are the largest they’ve been for over a decade. NHS waits of 18 weeks have not been achieved for many years, with some patients facing waits of significant waiting times from GP referral to the first initial appointment with a Consultant, and then long periods of time on the waiting list. The time from seeing a GP to surgery is 1-2 years in 2025.
If you’re living with joint pain, stiffness or mobility issues, every week spent waiting for NHS treatment can feel like a lifetime. Long waiting lists and appointment delays often mean months or —even years of discomfort. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
At Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic, we offer rapid access to private orthopaedic surgery, delivered by a leading consultant at the state-of-the-art Three Shires Hospital, part of Circle Health Group. The hospital received an Outstanding rating form an inspection in 2025. From consultation to recovery, everything is focused on getting you back to moving well and pain free.
The Reality of NHS Waiting Times vs Private Healthcare Excellence
The orthopaedic surgery landscape across the UK has become increasingly challenging within the NHS. Current data shows that no specialities meet the referral-to-treatment (RTT) standard, leaving thousands of patients in limbo. When you’re dealing with hip or knee pain or other musculoskeletal system problems, these delays can mean the difference between a swift recovery and long-term complications.
Consider the impact on your daily life: persistent pain affecting your sleep, inability to participate in sports you love, or struggling with basic activities like climbing stairs. For active individuals, these issues may be particularly devastating, especially when faced with months of uncertainty.
Private healthcare offers a fundamentally different approach. Rather than joining lengthy queues, you receive immediate attention from specialist orthopaedic surgeons who understand that your time and health matter. The contrast is stark: whilst NHS patients endure months of pain and limitation, private patients begin their recovery journey within days.
Why Go Private for Orthopaedic Surgery?
The NHS offers exceptional care, but capacity challenges mean routine orthopaedic referrals are often pushed back. Going private removes the uncertainty and allows you to take control of your health.
Here’s how private care via Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic can make all the difference:
- No Waiting Lists – Appointments are often available within days, not months.
- One-to-One Consultant Care – You’ll see the same orthopaedic surgeon throughout your journey.
- Cutting-Edge Facilities – All procedures are carried out at the modern, well-equipped Three Shires Hospital in Northampton.
- Personalised Recovery Plans – Your aftercare includes bespoke physiotherapy and follow-ups tailored to your needs.
- Choice and Clarity – You’ll be fully informed, with a clear understanding of costs, timelines, and treatment options.
Why Choose Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic
Rapid Access to Treatment
Unlike the lengthy NHS queues, our centre for orthopaedic surgery provides swift access to consultant-led care. We understand that when you’re ready to address your orthopaedic condition, you shouldn’t have to wait months for relief. Our streamlined approach means you can often be seen within days, not weeks.
At Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic, we have revolutionised patient care by eliminating the bureaucratic delays that plague NHS services. Your health deserves immediate attention, not administrative convenience.
Comprehensive Orthopaedic Treatments Provided
Our expert consultants at Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic provide treatment for a full range of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system.
- Knee Arthroscopy (Keyhole Surgery): A minimally invasive procedure using a tiny camera to diagnose and treat knee issues like cartilage damage and meniscal tears. It’s designed to ease pain and help you recover quickly.
- Hip Replacement: Ideal for alleviating severe hip pain due to arthritis or joint damage. This surgery replaces both the ball and socket of the hip joint with artificial components, helping to restore smooth movement.
- Knee Replacement: A surgical solution for knees with worn-out cartilage or joints damaged by arthritis. Options include both total and partial replacements to improve mobility and ease discomfort.
- Hip Injection Treatment: A non-surgical option where anti-inflammatory medication is injected directly into the hip joint to reduce pain and swelling and provide temporary relief, often while planning longer-term treatment.
- Knee Injection Treatment: Similar to hip injections, this involves delivering medication into the knee joint to ease pain or inflammation, often useful for arthritis or early-stage issues.
- Hip Arthritis Treatment: These may include a range of non-surgical approaches—such as physiotherapy, lifestyle adjustments, and medications—to slow down arthritis symptoms, manage pain, and maintain joint function.
- Knee Arthritis Treatment: Also focused on non-invasive methods like exercise, weight management, support braces, injections, or physiotherapy to relieve pain and improve quality of life before considering surgery.
- Other Hip and Knee Conditions: Beyond the treatments above, the clinic also addresses a variety of other hip and knee problems—ranging from less common injuries to complex joint conditions that require tailored care.
Expert Orthopaedic Surgeons
The consultant orthopaedic surgeons from Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic lead by Mr Pierre Nasr, are leaders in their field, training at prestigious institutions and contributing to research that advances orthopaedic care. They specialise in the latest surgical techniques, ensuring you receive world-class treatment that simply isn’t available through standard NHS pathways.
The Private Healthcare Advantage
Speed and Efficiency
Private healthcare eliminates the frustrating bottlenecks that characterise NHS services. Whilst NHS patients languish on waiting lists, private patients receive:
- Same-week consultations
- Immediate diagnostic imaging
- Rapid surgical scheduling
- Dedicated aftercare teams
Quality of Care
Private facilities like Three Shires Hospital maintain standards that exceed NHS benchmarks. Your care team isn’t rushed between dozens of patients; instead, you receive focused, personalised attention from specialists who have chosen to work in environments where excellence is the standard, not the exception.
Choice and Control
Unlike NHS treatment pathways, where you’re assigned to whoever is available, private healthcare allows you to choose your surgeon, your facility, and your treatment timeline. Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic works exclusively with patients who value expertise and expedited care.
Minimising Complications of Orthopaedic Surgery
One concern many patients have when considering surgery is the risk of complications. At Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic, we take a proactive approach to minimise common complications such as:
- Infection Prevention: Strict surgical protocols and antibiotic prophylaxis in state-of-the-art facilities
- Blood Clots: Early mobilisation programmes and appropriate prophylactic measures tailored to each patient
- Anaesthetic Risks: Pre-operative assessment and modern anaesthetic techniques delivered by specialist teams
- Post-operative Pain Management: Multimodal pain relief strategies that prioritise your comfort and recovery
We also run Enhanced Recovery Programmes designed to reduce the risk of complications and help you get back on your feet as soon as possible
A Joined-Up Approach to Orthopaedic Care
Orthopaedic surgery philosophy at Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic is built around seamless teamwork. From the moment you make contact, you’re supported by a closely connected team of consultants, physiotherapists, nurses and support staff—all working together to deliver optimal outcomes.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Consistent Care, Start to Finish – We’ll be with you every step of the way, from your first consultation right through to your recovery and rehabilitation.
- Team Expertise – Your care plan will be shaped by insights from specialists who understand how the musculoskeletal system works as an integrated whole.
- Tailored Treatment – We’ll take the time to listen, understand your goals, and create a surgical technique and recovery plan that’s right for your lifestyle.
- Ongoing Support – You won’t be left wondering what’s next. We monitor your progress closely to ensure everything’s on track.
Learn more about the consultation process here
The Private Healthcare Experience: Your Patient Journey
From your very first contact with Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic:
- Rapid appointment scheduling – typically within 48 hours
- Comprehensive diagnostic imaging and assessment on-site at premium facilities
- Detailed treatment planning by consultants and multidisciplinary teams
- Surgical intervention using advanced techniques in state-of-the-art theatres
- Dedicated aftercare and physiotherapy, including day-case follow-up and return to sports programmes
This seamless path ensures that even complex procedures are delivered with minimal inconvenience and maximum confidence. Compare this to the fragmented, impersonal experience typical of NHS pathways.
Learn why a consultant-led lead approach towards ophthalmic healthcare is the best way to go here
Why Private Healthcare Makes Sense
The question isn’t whether you can afford private healthcare—it’s whether you can afford not to choose it. Consider the hidden costs of NHS delays:
- Months of lost productivity
- Ongoing pain medication expenses
- Potential worsening of conditions due to delays
- Impact on family and work life
- Risk of complications from delayed treatment
Going private with Three Shires Hospital and Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic specialists represents an investment in your quality of life, not just a medical expense.
We understand that funding surgery privately can feel daunting. To help make expert care more accessible, interest-free finance options are available through an approved provider, with borrowing from £350 to £25,000. The application process is quick and simple, with an instant decision.
Why Wait? Get Back to What Matters
If knee pain, sports injury or joint stiffness is holding you back, don’t wait for the NHS to catch up with your needs. The elective orthopaedic service combining Northampton Hip and Knee Clinic’s clinical excellence with Three Shires Hospital’s premium facilities offers you the chance to regain function, reduce pain, and return to the activities you love—without the frustrating delays that characterise public healthcare.
Our approach ensures that whether you’re dealing with knee injuries, require return to sports programmes, or need any type of orthopaedic surgery, you receive care that matches the urgency of your needs.
