Orthopaedic day surgery · St Helens
Day orthopaedics in St Helens: what it costs, and the NHS wait
Prices checked 9 Nov 2026
Cheapest nearby
£4,193
Knee arthroscopy: Fairfield Independent Hospital, St. Helens · 2.6 miles away
Carpal tunnel surgery: £1,430 at Circle Cheshire Clinic (16 miles)
Typical price
£4,476
The middle of 11 published knee arthroscopy prices within 25 miles.
Carpal tunnel surgery: £2,562.
NHS wait so far
10 weeks
Half the people on the trauma and orthopaedics list at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals had waited longer than this (August 2026).
Time waited so far by everyone on the list. It can’t tell you your own wait.
Prices near St Helens
Knee arthroscopy
Sort by
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Fairfield Independent Hospital
St. Helens · 2.6 miles away
£4,193Knee arthroscopy
What’s included: Circle’s guide price. Circle says it covers your first consultation, the operation and care after you go home (first consultation £200). Not included: tests before treatment. Circle confirms the final price after your consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Fairfield Independent Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Diagnostic Investigations Not included Not included Main treatment Included £3,993 · Included Post discharge care Included Included · Included -
Nuffield Health Chester Hospital
Chester · 20 miles away
£4,200Knee Arthroscopy - Key Hole Surgery
What’s included: Nuffield’s guide price for the treatment. Nuffield says tests before treatment are charged separately, and you get a fixed, all-inclusive price after your first consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Nuffield Health Chester Hospital Stage In the price? As published Diagnostic Investigations Not included Charged separately Main treatment Included £4,200 -
Nuffield Health Chester Hospital
Chester · 20 miles away
£4,270Knee Arthroscopy - Key Hole Surgery to Remove Damaged Cartilage
What’s included: Nuffield’s guide price for the treatment. Nuffield says tests before treatment are charged separately, and you get a fixed, all-inclusive price after your first consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Nuffield Health Chester Hospital Stage In the price? As published Diagnostic Investigations Not included Charged separately Main treatment Included £4,270 -
Spire Liverpool Hospital
Liverpool · 8.8 miles away
from£4,327Knee arthroscopy surgery
What’s included: Spire’s fixed self-pay package. Spire says it covers tests before your operation, the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees, nursing, medicines and food during your stay, and any standard implant, plus aftercare: follow-up appointments, stitches, dressings and up to 14 days of medicines. The first consultation is £209 on top.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Spire Liverpool Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £209 Treatment Included from £4,118 Aftercare Included Included -
Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral
Wirral · 16 miles away
from£4,446Knee arthroscopy surgery
What’s included: Spire’s fixed self-pay package. Spire says it covers tests before your operation, the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees, nursing, medicines and food during your stay, and any standard implant, plus aftercare: follow-up appointments, stitches, dressings and up to 14 days of medicines. The first consultation is £226 on top.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £226 Treatment Included from £4,220 Aftercare Included Included -
The Beaumont Hospital
Lostock Bolton · 13 miles away
£4,476Knee surgery via arthroscopy
What’s included: Circle’s guide price. Circle says it covers your first consultation, the operation and care after you go home (first consultation £200). Not included: tests before treatment. Circle confirms the final price after your consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, The Beaumont Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Diagnostic Investigations Not included Not included Main treatment Included £4,276 · Included Post discharge care Included Included · Included -
The Alexandra Hospital
Cheadle · 22 miles away
£4,476Knee surgery via arthroscopy
What’s included: Circle’s guide price. Circle says it covers your first consultation, the operation and care after you go home (first consultation £200). Not included: tests before treatment. Circle confirms the final price after your consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, The Alexandra Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Diagnostic Investigations Not included Not included Main treatment Included £4,276 · Included Post discharge care Included Included · Included -
The Beardwood Hospital
Blackburn · 23 miles away
£4,476Knee surgery via arthroscopy
What’s included: Circle’s guide price. Circle says it covers your first consultation, the operation and care after you go home (first consultation £200). Not included: tests before treatment. Circle confirms the final price after your consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, The Beardwood Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Diagnostic Investigations Not included Not included Main treatment Included £4,276 · Included Post discharge care Included Included · Included -
Renacres Hospital
Ormskirk · 14 miles away
from£4,574Knee Arthroscopy (key hole surgery)
What’s included: Ramsay calls this a guide price (a “from” price). Its page doesn’t list what’s included, so check with the hospital.
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Oaklands Hospital
Salford · 17 miles away
from£4,803Knee Arthroscopy (key hole surgery)
What’s included: Ramsay calls this a guide price (a “from” price). Its page doesn’t list what’s included, so check with the hospital.
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Fulwood Hall Hospital
Preston · 23 miles away
from£5,792Knee Arthroscopy (key hole surgery)
What’s included: Ramsay calls this a guide price (a “from” price). Its page doesn’t list what’s included, so check with the hospital.
Carpal tunnel surgery
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Circle Cheshire Clinic
Northwich · 16 miles away
£1,430Carpal tunnel release (open)
What’s included: Circle’s guide price. Circle says it covers your first consultation, the operation and care after you go home (first consultation £200). Not included: tests before treatment. Circle confirms the final price after your consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Circle Cheshire Clinic Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Diagnostic Investigations Not included Not included Main treatment Included £1,230 · Included Post discharge care Included Included · Included -
The Beaumont Hospital
Lostock Bolton · 13 miles away
£1,735Wrist surgery - Carpal Tunnel release (local anaesthetic)
What’s included: Circle’s guide price. Circle says it covers your first consultation, the operation and care after you go home (first consultation £200). Not included: tests before treatment. Circle confirms the final price after your consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, The Beaumont Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Diagnostic Investigations Not included Not included Main treatment Included £1,535 · Included Post discharge care Included Included · Included -
Circle Cheshire Clinic
Northwich · 16 miles away
£1,735Wrist surgery - Carpal Tunnel release (local anaesthetic)
What’s included: Circle’s guide price. Circle says it covers your first consultation, the operation and care after you go home (first consultation £200). Not included: tests before treatment. Circle confirms the final price after your consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Circle Cheshire Clinic Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Diagnostic Investigations Not included Not included Main treatment Included £1,535 · Included Post discharge care Included Included · Included -
The Alexandra Hospital
Cheadle · 22 miles away
£1,735Wrist surgery - Carpal Tunnel release (local anaesthetic)
What’s included: Circle’s guide price. Circle says it covers your first consultation, the operation and care after you go home (first consultation £200). Not included: tests before treatment. Circle confirms the final price after your consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, The Alexandra Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Diagnostic Investigations Not included Not included Main treatment Included £1,535 · Included Post discharge care Included Included · Included -
Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral
Wirral · 16 miles away
from£2,232Carpal tunnel release (one wrist)
What’s included: Spire’s fixed self-pay package. Spire says it covers tests before your operation, the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees, nursing, medicines and food during your stay, and any standard implant, plus aftercare: follow-up appointments, stitches, dressings and up to 14 days of medicines. The first consultation is £200 on top.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Treatment Included from £2,032 Aftercare Included Included -
Fairfield Independent Hospital
St. Helens · 2.6 miles away
£2,403Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment
What’s included: Circle’s guide price. Circle says it covers your first consultation, the operation and care after you go home (first consultation £200). Not included: tests before treatment. Circle confirms the final price after your consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Fairfield Independent Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Diagnostic Investigations Not included Not included Main treatment Included £2,203 · Included Post discharge care Included Included · Included -
Renacres Hospital
Ormskirk · 14 miles away
from£2,720Carpal Tunnel Release - One Wrist
What’s included: Ramsay calls this a guide price (a “from” price). Its page doesn’t list what’s included, so check with the hospital.
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Spire Liverpool Hospital
Liverpool · 8.8 miles away
from£2,823Carpal tunnel release (one wrist)
What’s included: Spire’s fixed self-pay package. Spire says it covers tests before your operation, the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees, nursing, medicines and food during your stay, and any standard implant, plus aftercare: follow-up appointments, stitches, dressings and up to 14 days of medicines. The first consultation is £200 on top.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Spire Liverpool Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £200 Treatment Included from £2,623 Aftercare Included Included -
Oaklands Hospital
Salford · 17 miles away
from£2,856Carpal Tunnel Release - One Wrist
What’s included: Ramsay calls this a guide price (a “from” price). Its page doesn’t list what’s included, so check with the hospital.
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Spire Cheshire Hospital
Warrington · 10 miles away
from£2,931Carpal tunnel release (one wrist)
What’s included: Spire’s fixed self-pay package. Spire says it covers tests before your operation, the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees, nursing, medicines and food during your stay, and any standard implant, plus aftercare: follow-up appointments, stitches, dressings and up to 14 days of medicines. The first consultation is £210 on top.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Spire Cheshire Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £210 Treatment Included from £2,721 Aftercare Included Included -
Spire Manchester Hospital
Manchester · 20 miles away
from£2,957Carpal tunnel release (one wrist)
What’s included: Spire’s fixed self-pay package. Spire says it covers tests before your operation, the surgeon’s and anaesthetist’s fees, nursing, medicines and food during your stay, and any standard implant, plus aftercare: follow-up appointments, stitches, dressings and up to 14 days of medicines. The first consultation is £263 on top.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Spire Manchester Hospital Stage In the price? As published Initial consultation Included £263 Treatment Included from £2,694 Aftercare Included Included -
Nuffield Health Chester Hospital
Chester · 20 miles away
£3,005Carpal Tunnel Release - One Wrist
What’s included: Nuffield’s guide price for the treatment. Nuffield says tests before treatment are charged separately, and you get a fixed, all-inclusive price after your first consultation.
Price breakdown, as published
Published price breakdown, Nuffield Health Chester Hospital Stage In the price? As published Diagnostic Investigations Not included Charged separately Main treatment Included £3,005
See all 13 hospitals side by side
| Hospital | Distance | Knee arthroscopy | Carpal tunnel surgery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Independent Hospital | 2.6 miles | £4,193 | £2,403 |
| Spire Liverpool Hospital | 8.8 miles | from £4,327 | from £2,823 |
| Spire Cheshire Hospital | 10 miles | – | from £2,931 |
| The Beaumont Hospital | 13 miles | £4,476 | £1,735 |
| Renacres Hospital | 14 miles | from £4,574 | from £2,720 |
| Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral | 16 miles | from £4,446 | from £2,232 |
| Circle Cheshire Clinic | 16 miles | – | £1,430 |
| Oaklands Hospital | 17 miles | from £4,803 | from £2,856 |
| Nuffield Health Chester Hospital | 20 miles | £4,200 | £3,005 |
| Spire Manchester Hospital | 20 miles | – | from £2,957 |
| The Alexandra Hospital | 22 miles | £4,476 | £1,735 |
| The Beardwood Hospital | 23 miles | £4,476 | – |
| Fulwood Hall Hospital | 23 miles | from £5,792 | – |
Prices the hospitals publish on their own websites, not quotes. Nobody pays to be listed. Distances are straight-line miles from the centre of St Helens.
Hospital by hospital
Fairfield Independent Hospital, St. Helens, 2.6 miles away (Circle Health Group; CQC Good, report January 2017). Knee arthroscopy £4,193 (first consultation £200 included; tests before treatment not included; aftercare included), the lowest locally. Carpal tunnel surgery £2,403 (first consultation £200 included; tests before treatment not included; aftercare included), £973 above the local lowest.
Spire Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, 8.8 miles away (Spire Healthcare; CQC Good, report October 2022). Knee arthroscopy from £4,327 (first consultation £209 included; aftercare included), £134 above the local lowest. Carpal tunnel surgery from £2,823 (first consultation £200 included; aftercare included), £1,393 above the local lowest.
Spire Cheshire Hospital, Warrington, 10 miles away (Spire Healthcare; CQC Outstanding, report May 2017). No published knee arthroscopy price. Carpal tunnel surgery from £2,931 (first consultation £210 included; aftercare included), £1,501 above the local lowest.
The Beaumont Hospital, Lostock Bolton, 13 miles away (Circle Health Group; CQC Good, report June 2025). Knee arthroscopy £4,476 (first consultation £200 included; tests before treatment not included; aftercare included), £283 above the local lowest. Carpal tunnel surgery £1,735 (first consultation £200 included; tests before treatment not included; aftercare included), £305 above the local lowest.
Renacres Hospital, Ormskirk, 14 miles away (Ramsay Health Care UK; CQC Good, report December 2016). Knee arthroscopy from £4,574 (single guide figure, no breakdown), £381 above the local lowest. Carpal tunnel surgery from £2,720 (single guide figure, no breakdown), £1,290 above the local lowest.
Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral, Wirral, 16 miles away (Spire Healthcare; CQC Good, report July 2022). Knee arthroscopy from £4,446 (first consultation £226 included; aftercare included), £253 above the local lowest. Carpal tunnel surgery from £2,232 (first consultation £200 included; aftercare included), £802 above the local lowest.
Circle Cheshire Clinic, Northwich, 16 miles away (Circle Health Group; not yet rated by CQC). No published knee arthroscopy price. Carpal tunnel surgery £1,430 (Carpal tunnel release (open)) or £1,735 (Wrist surgery - Carpal Tunnel release (local anaesthetic)) (first consultation £200 included; tests before treatment not included; aftercare included), the lowest locally.
Oaklands Hospital, Salford, 17 miles away (Ramsay Health Care UK; CQC Good, report July 2026). Knee arthroscopy from £4,803 (single guide figure, no breakdown), £610 above the local lowest. Carpal tunnel surgery from £2,856 (single guide figure, no breakdown), £1,426 above the local lowest.
Nuffield Health Chester Hospital, Chester, 20 miles away (Nuffield Health; CQC Good, report December 2016). Knee arthroscopy £4,200 (Knee Arthroscopy - Key Hole Surgery) or £4,270 (Knee Arthroscopy - Key Hole Surgery to Remove Damaged Cartilage) (tests before treatment not included), £7 above the local lowest. Carpal tunnel surgery £3,005 (tests before treatment not included), £1,575 above the local lowest.
Spire Manchester Hospital, Manchester, 20 miles away (Spire Healthcare; CQC Outstanding, report October 2022). No published knee arthroscopy price. Carpal tunnel surgery from £2,957 (first consultation £263 included; aftercare included), £1,527 above the local lowest.
How the prices compare
Knee arthroscopy: 11 local prices span £1,599, from £4,193 to £5,792; the UK median across 131 published prices is £4,683.
Carpal tunnel surgery: 12 local prices span £1,575, from £1,430 to £3,005; the UK median across 137 published prices is £2,705. The nearest, Fairfield Independent Hospital, is £973 dearer than the cheapest.
8 hospitals near St Helens publish both prices. below it at 8, by £1,195 to £2,741.
Within 5 miles of central St Helens: Fairfield Independent Hospital (2.6 miles).
5 to 10 miles of central St Helens: Spire Liverpool Hospital (8.8 miles).
10 to 25 miles of central St Helens: Spire Cheshire Hospital (10 miles), The Beaumont Hospital (13 miles), Renacres Hospital (14 miles), Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral (16 miles), Circle Cheshire Clinic (16 miles), Oaklands Hospital (17 miles), Nuffield Health Chester Hospital (20 miles), Spire Manchester Hospital (20 miles), The Alexandra Hospital (22 miles), The Beardwood Hospital (23 miles) and Fulwood Hall Hospital (23 miles).
Typical for knee arthroscopy: usually a day-case procedure.
Tip: count the journeys for the consultation, the procedure and follow-up when weighing a cheaper hospital further away.
Private or NHS?
- Cost. knee arthroscopy £4,193 to £5,792 at 10 hospitals; carpal tunnel surgery £1,430 to £3,005 at 11 hospitals. Free on the NHS.
- Wait. Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals: half had waited over 10 weeks; 9 in 10 within 40 weeks. England: 14 weeks.
Private hospitals usually ask for a referral letter or a consultation first. Not sure which is right for you? Your GP can refer you on the NHS and talk through your options.
The NHS wait near St Helens
| NHS trust | Median wait | Under 18 weeks | Over a year | 9 in 10 within | On the list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 9.7 wks | 67.4% | 148 | 40 wks | 7,922 |
| North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust | 17.3 wks | 52.1% | 111 | 46 wks | 3,394 |
| England | 13.9 wks | 60.9% | 22,043 | 43 wks | 851,183 |
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2.7 miles from St Helens: 7,922 people on the trauma and orthopaedics list, 67.4% within 18 weeks, 148 over a year, nine in ten within 40 weeks.
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust, 6.4 miles from St Helens: 3,394 people on the trauma and orthopaedics list, 52.1% within 18 weeks, 111 over a year, nine in ten within 46 weeks.
These figures cover everyone on the trust’s trauma and orthopaedics list, not only people waiting for a knee arthroscopy and carpal tunnel release, and describe time waited so far, not how long a new referral will take.
Source: NHS England, Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times, August 2026 data, published 8 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Month-by-month figures: Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust on Waiting Times UK, North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust on Waiting Times UK.
Other clinics nearby
The CQC register lists 12 independent hospitals registered with the CQC to do surgery within 9.3 miles: 2 outstanding, 3 good, 3 requires improvement, 4 not yet rated. 2 of them publish a price we could check here; ask the others directly.
The 12 nearest
| Location | Distance | Rating (CQC) | Price shown above? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASET Hospital | 2.4 miles | Requires improvement | No |
| Fairfield Independent Hospital | 2.6 miles | Good | Yes |
| Pall Mall Medical Diagnostic Treatment Centre | 4.1 miles | Requires improvement | No |
| SpaMedica Haydock | 4.5 miles | Not yet rated | No |
| SpaMedica Widnes | 5.8 miles | Outstanding | No |
| SpaMedica Skelmersdale | 7.3 miles | Not yet rated | No |
| Community Health and Eyecare Warrington | 7.5 miles | Not yet rated | No |
| North West Aesthetics | 8.3 miles | Good | No |
| SpaMedica Liverpool | 8.4 miles | Outstanding | No |
| The Cheshire Hand Clinic | 8.6 miles | Not yet rated | No |
| Liverpool Skin Clinic | 8.6 miles | Requires improvement | No |
| Spire Liverpool Hospital | 8.8 miles | Good | Yes |
Questions to ask before booking
- Ask Circle Cheshire Clinic, Fairfield Independent Hospital and Nuffield Health Chester Hospital what tests before treatment would cost: their published breakdown lists them as not included.
- Ask Fulwood Hall Hospital, Oaklands Hospital and Renacres Hospital for an itemised quote, as their prices are published as a single figure.
- For carpal tunnel surgery, weigh Circle Cheshire Clinic (16 miles) against Fairfield Independent Hospital (2.6 miles): the £973 saving comes with a longer trip, so ask each how many follow-up visits are included.
- Ask whether an MRI scan is needed first and whether it is in the price.
- Ask whether the price is for one wrist and what both would cost.
Nearby
Knee arthroscopy and carpal tunnel surgery in nearby places
- Manchester 22 miles
- Blackburn 23 miles
- Stoke-on-Trent 40 miles
- Lancaster 42 miles
- Bradford 46 miles
- Telford 54 miles
- Doncaster 67 miles
- Ripon 69 miles
Other treatments near St Helens
This page also covers 2 nearby places with the same hospitals and NHS trust: Orrell, Rainford.
Where these figures come from
Prices: from each hospital’s own price page and breakdown on the date shown next to each price. We store the price, what the page says it includes, the link and the date.
Each hospital group describes its prices differently (guide prices, fixed packages or “from” prices), so read what’s included before comparing totals.
Clinic details and ratings: CQC register (HSCA Active Locations, downloaded 9 November 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0. A rating describes the whole location, not one treatment.
Source: NHS England, Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times, August 2026 data, published 8 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Month-by-month figures: Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust on Waiting Times UK, North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust on Waiting Times UK.
Typical price is the middle (median) of the published prices within 25 miles, shown only when there are at least four.
Independent. We’re not part of the NHS or any hospital, we’re not clinicians, and nothing here is medical advice. Hospitals can’t pay to appear or to change their position.