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Orthopaedic Waiting List in Ireland: Latest NTPF Figures (September 2026)
At the end of September 2026, 82,991 adults in Ireland were waiting for a first orthopaedic outpatient appointment, 19.6% of them for more than a year, and a further 14,988 were waiting for orthopaedic inpatient or day case treatment, 12.6% for more than a year (National Treatment Purchase Fund). This page sets out the figures and the options open to Irish patients, and is updated monthly.
Key facts
- 82,991 adults were waiting for a first orthopaedic outpatient appointment at the end of September 2026; 16,270 (19.6%) had waited more than 12 months and 6,121 more than 18 months.
- 14,988 adults were waiting for orthopaedic inpatient or day case treatment; 1,885 (12.6%) had waited more than 12 months.
- Across all specialties, 692,524 patients were waiting for a first outpatient appointment and 114,722 for inpatient or day case treatment (NTPF, published 9 October 2026).
- The inpatient/day case figure counts only the active list: patients with a date already (pre-admit), planned procedures and suspensions are reported separately.
- Irish residents can use a GP referral to have treatment in another EU country and claim the cost from the HSE under the Cross-Border Directive.
Checked 14 October 2026
The figures
Adults waiting, orthopaedics, end of September 2026
| Time waited | First outpatient appointment | Inpatient or day case treatment |
|---|---|---|
| 0–6 months | 44,479 | 9,714 |
| 6–12 months | 22,242 | 3,390 |
| 12–18 months | 10,149 | 986 |
| Over 18 months | 6,121 | 899 |
| Total | 82,991 | 14,988 |
Source: National Treatment Purchase Fund open data, 2026 outpatient and inpatient/day case lists by specialty, adult orthopaedics. Children are counted separately (paediatric orthopaedics). In January 2026 the adult orthopaedic inpatient and day case list stood at 14,666.
Two waits, not one
The NTPF figures are two separate lists. A patient with an arthritic hip usually waits first for an appointment with an orthopaedic consultant, and only after that consultation joins the list for surgery. The total wait is the sum of both. The surgery list also leaves out patients who already have a date and patients whose treatment is suspended, so it understates how many people are in the system.
For your own wait, ask your hospital's waiting list office or your consultant's secretary, and ask whether the NTPF can offer you treatment elsewhere in Ireland.
Your options
| Option | Cost to you | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Stay on the public list | Free | Ask the hospital whether the NTPF can arrange treatment sooner |
| Private hospital in Ireland | Price depends on hospital and consultant | Ask whether the quote includes consultant, anaesthetist and implant |
| Treatment in another EU country under the Cross-Border Directive | You pay first; the HSE repays up to the Irish price (knee €16,196, hip €15,523) | Flights and hotel not repaid. See how it works |
| Our partner hospital in Poland | Knee from €8,620, hip from €6,940, below the HSE price | Direct flights from Dublin and Shannon to Wrocław. See Ireland to Poland |
Using the Cross-Border Directive does not need a place on a waiting list: a GP referral letter is enough. If you have treatment elsewhere, tell your Irish hospital so your place can go to someone else.
OrthoVoyage is a medical travel concierge, not a hospital, and does not give medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the waiting list for a hip replacement in Ireland?
The NTPF does not publish a figure for hip replacement alone. At the end of September 2026, 14,988 adults were waiting for orthopaedic inpatient or day case treatment and 12.6% had waited over a year; before that, 82,991 were waiting for a first orthopaedic appointment, 19.6% for over a year.
How many people are on hospital waiting lists in Ireland?
At the end of September 2026, 692,524 patients were waiting for a first outpatient appointment, 114,722 for inpatient or day case treatment and 43,285 for GI endoscopy (NTPF).
Can I go abroad if I am on an Irish waiting list?
Yes. Under the Cross-Border Directive a letter confirming you are on a public waiting list, or a GP referral, lets you have the treatment in another EU country and claim the cost from the HSE, up to the Irish public price.
Sources
- NTPF publishes September 2026 national public hospital waiting list data — National Treatment Purchase Fund
- Waiting list open data — National Treatment Purchase Fund
- Get healthcare abroad with the Cross Border Directive Scheme — HSE
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Always discuss treatment options with your GP or a specialist.
Related pages
Hip and Knee Replacement Abroad from Ireland: Poland and the HSE Cross-Border Directive (2026)
Cross-Border Directive for Hip and Knee Replacement: Step by Step for Irish Patients (2026)
How Much the HSE Repays for Orthopaedic Surgery Abroad: Cross-Border Directive Prices 2026
Orthopaedic Surgery Prices in Poland: Full Price List in Euros and Pounds (2026)