Lumbar decompression surgery is an operation on the lower spine to relieve symptoms of compressed nerves, such as pain, tingling or numbness in the legs. It may be needed for spinal stenosis, sciatica or a slipped disc, usually after other treatments such as physiotherapy or steroid injections have been tried.
Hospital-level numbers for this operation are not published as open data. This page shows NHS waiting times for trauma and orthopaedics and, because an MRI scan is usually part of the assessment, how long people are waiting for MRI scans.
Hospitals in the North West
25 trusts in the North West with published figures. Sorted by name. This is not a ranking: read how to read this first.
Hospital-level numbers for this specific operation are not published as open data. The activity column is context only: it shows the trust's overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V (bones and joints of the skull and spine) in 2025-26, from Hospital Episode Statistics, in bands. It covers many other procedures as well as this one, it is for the whole trust rather than one hospital, and it does not include private patients. It is not a count of this operation.
| Trust | Trust activity (context)Trust's overall NHS-funded activity, OPCS-4 chapter V (bones and joints of the skull and spine), 2025-26 (HES). Context only | Key outcomeNo hospital-level outcome data published | Waiting timeWhole trust | Patient experience | CQC rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Alder Hey Children’s Hospital | 400 to 999Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 0% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | Not published | Good (CQC report for Alder Hey Children's Hospital) |
| Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Clifton Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 15.5 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 55.5% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)23.3% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Blackpool Victoria Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Blackpool Victoria Hospital) Clifton Hospital: Good (CQC report for Clifton Hospital) |
| Bolton NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Royal Bolton Hospital | 150 to 399Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 15.7 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 55.2% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)1.4% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | Somewhat worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Royal Bolton Hospital) |
| The Christie NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The Christie | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 0.8% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | Much better than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 9.2 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for The Christie) |
| The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 1% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | Much better than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 9.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | No rating |
| Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The Countess of Chester Hospital | 150 to 399Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 11.7 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 67.2% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)7.8% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for The Countess of Chester Hospital) |
| East Cheshire NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Macclesfield District General Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 13.4 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 60.9% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)25.9% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | Somewhat worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Macclesfield District General Hospital) |
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Burnley General Hospital, Royal Blackburn Hospital | 400 to 999Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 7.4 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 78.1% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)0% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Burnley General Hospital: Good (CQC report for Burnley General Hospital) Royal Blackburn Hospital: Good (CQC report for Royal Blackburn Hospital) |
| Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Longridge Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No hospital-level outcome data published | 6.2 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 87.1% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)9.5% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | Not published | No rating |
| Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, Royal Preston Hospital | 1,000 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 16.2 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 55.5% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)3.6% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | Worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.7 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Chorley and South Ribble Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Chorley and South Ribble Hospital) Royal Preston Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Royal Preston Hospital) |
| Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 24.2% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | Much better than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 9.2 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Outstanding (CQC report for Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital) |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Broadgreen Hospital, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, University Hospital Aintree | 400 to 999Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 16.3 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 54.7% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)9.5% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Broadgreen Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Broadgreen Hospital) New Royal Liverpool University: No Approved Rating (CQC report for New Royal Liverpool University) University Hospital Aintree: Requires improvement (CQC report for University Hospital Aintree) |
| Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Liverpool Women’s Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| Not published for this specialty | Better than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 8.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Liverpool Women's Hospital) |
| Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Manchester Royal Infirmary, North Manchester General Hospital, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Royal Manchester Eye Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Trafford General Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital | 1,000 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 14.4 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 59% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)13.2% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Manchester Royal Infirmary: Requires improvement (CQC report for Manchester Royal Infirmary) North Manchester General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for North Manchester General Hospital) Royal Manchester Children's Hospital: Good (CQC report for Royal Manchester Children's Hospital) Royal Manchester Eye Hospital: Outstanding (CQC report for Royal Manchester Eye Hospital) Saint Mary's Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Saint Mary's Hospital) Trafford General Hospital: Good (CQC report for Trafford General Hospital) Wythenshawe Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Wythenshawe Hospital) |
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Ormskirk District General Hospital, Southport and Formby District General Hospital, St Helens Hospital, Whiston Hospital | 150 to 399Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 9.7 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 67.4% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)13.8% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Ormskirk District General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Ormskirk District General Hospital) Southport and Formby District General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Southport and Formby District General Hospital) St Helens Hospital: Good (CQC report for St Helens Hospital) Whiston Hospital: Not Rated (CQC report for Whiston Hospital) |
| Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Leighton Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 14.7 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 59% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)7.8% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Leighton Hospital) |
| North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Cockermouth Hospital, Cumberland Infirmary, West Cumberland Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 14.5 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 60.2% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)6.9% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Cumberland Infirmary: Requires improvement (CQC report for Cumberland Infirmary) West Cumberland Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for West Cumberland Hospital) |
| Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Fairfield General Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, Royal Oldham Hospital, Salford Royal Hospital | 1,000 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 15.7 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 54.3% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)9.3% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Fairfield General Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Fairfield General Hospital) Rochdale Infirmary: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Rochdale Infirmary) Royal Oldham Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Royal Oldham Hospital) Salford Royal Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Salford Royal Hospital) |
| Stockport NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Stepping Hill Hospital | 400 to 999Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 14.9 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 59% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)0.6% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Stepping Hill Hospital) |
| Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Tameside General Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 11.5 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 67% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)0% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Tameside General Hospital) |
| University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Furness General Hospital, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Westmorland General Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 12.7 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 61.7% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)8.2% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Furness General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Furness General Hospital) Royal Lancaster Infirmary: Good (CQC report for Royal Lancaster Infirmary) Westmorland General Hospital: Good (CQC report for Westmorland General Hospital) |
| The Walton Centre NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The Walton Centre | 1,000 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 0.5% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | Better than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 8.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Outstanding (CQC report for The Walton Centre) |
| Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Halton Hospital, Warrington Hospital | 150 to 399Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 17.3 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 52.1% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)0.8% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Halton Hospital: Good (CQC report for Halton Hospital) Warrington Hospital: Good (CQC report for Warrington Hospital) |
| Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Arrowe Park Hospital, Clatterbridge Hospital | Fewer than 150Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 14.9 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 58.3% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)1.9% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Arrowe Park Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Arrowe Park Hospital) Clatterbridge Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Clatterbridge Hospital) |
| Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Leigh Infirmary, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wrightington Hospital | 150 to 399Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter V, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 13.4 weeksHalf of people waiting for trauma and orthopaedics had waited less than this. 62.5% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)3.5% of people waiting for a MRI scan had waited 6 weeks or more (England 22%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Leigh Infirmary: Good (CQC report for Leigh Infirmary) Royal Albert Edward Infirmary: Requires improvement (CQC report for Royal Albert Edward Infirmary) Wrightington Hospital: Good (CQC report for Wrightington Hospital) |
Across England
In 2025-26, NHS-funded care in England (NHS hospitals and NHS patients treated by independent providers; private patients are not included) recorded 19,191 episodes where the main procedure was primary decompression of the lumbar spine (OPCS-4 V25). 6% were day cases. Half of the people admitted from a waiting list had waited less than about 96 days from the decision to admit them. These are national figures from Hospital Episode Statistics (NHS England, 2025-26, Open Government Licence v3.0); the same detail is not published for each hospital.
How to read this
- Not a ranking. The table is in alphabetical order. A higher volume does not on its own mean better care, and we do not combine the columns into a score.
- Trust activity (Hospital Episode Statistics). The bands show the trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in a whole chapter of the procedure classification (OPCS-4), for context. They are not a count of this operation, they are for the whole trust rather than one hospital, they exclude private patients, and we show bands only, not exact counts. Cut points are the lower quartile, median and upper quartile of all 128 NHS trusts in England with activity in OPCS-4 chapter V in the published table, rounded.
- Risk adjustment. Where a figure says “adjusted”, the audit has allowed for differences in the patients each hospital treats, such as age and other illnesses. Hospitals that take on more complex cases can still look different for reasons the adjustment does not capture.
- Bands and limits. We only say a result is higher or lower than expected when the source itself says so (for example NJR outlier status, NELA funnel limits, SSNAP levels, CQC survey bands). Where the source publishes a rate without limits we show the rate and the national figure, and say “No banding published”.
- Small numbers. A small hospital can have 0% or a high percentage by chance. Figures the source suppresses are shown as “Not published (small numbers)”.
- Trust or hospital. This audit publishes figures for each NHS trust, which may run several hospitals. The operation may only be done at one of them.
- Different periods. Each figure has its own period, shown next to it. Audit results describe operations done one to three years ago; waiting times are updated monthly.
- Talk to your GP or consultant about what the figures mean for you. If you are referred for planned care in England, you can usually choose your hospital.
Full definitions: methodology and data dictionary.
Data sources and licences
- Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2025-26 (Hospital Episode Statistics), NHS England. Source: Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2025-26, NHS England, part of the Government Statistical Service (published 24 September 2026). Copyright © 2026, NHS England. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. NHS-funded activity only. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times, NHS England. Source: NHS England, Referral to Treatment waiting times. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity (DM01), NHS England. Source: NHS England, Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity (DM01). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025 (trust benchmark results), Care Quality Commission. Source: Care Quality Commission, NHS Patient Survey Programme, Adult Inpatient Survey 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- CQC ratings, Care Quality Commission. CQC ratings: Care Quality Commission. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Healthcare-associated infections: annual counts and rates by trust (financial year 2025 to 2026), UK Health Security Agency. Source: UK Health Security Agency, healthcare-associated infection annual data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
Data last updated 26 October 2026. We do not change the published figures; we only group volumes into bands. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Sources
We checked this guide against these official pages on 26 October 2026.
- Lumbar decompression surgery (NHS website)
- Sciatica (NHS website)
- Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2025-26 (NHS England)
- Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times 2026-27 (NHS England)
- Adult inpatient survey (Care Quality Commission)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us.