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Specialist neurosurgical care · United Kingdom

Neurosurgery and spine surgery, in the right specialist centre.

Brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve surgery belongs in one of the UK’s 24 SBNS-recognised neurosurgical centres - with a full neuro-MDT, neuro-anaesthesia and neuro-ITU on site. We match you to the subspecialist who actually does your operation week in, week out.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Why patients choose us

  • 01

    A specialist neurosurgical centre, not a generalist hospital

    Brain, spine and peripheral nerve surgery belong in one of the 24 SBNS-recognised UK centres - with a full neuro-MDT, neuro-anaesthesia, neuro-ITU and neuroradiology on site.

  • 02

    MDT decision first, operation second

    Every tumour, vascular and complex spinal case goes through a multidisciplinary meeting - neurosurgeon, neuro-oncologist, neuroradiologist, neuropathologist - before anyone reaches for a knife.

  • 03

    Independent, and free

    We are paid by no hospital, so the recommendation - and the choice between open surgery, keyhole, radiosurgery or watch-and-wait - is impartial and costs you nothing.

Indicative pricing

What private neurosurgery and spinal surgery costs in the UK.

Ranges vary widely by procedure and complexity. NHS-funded care runs through your regional SBNS centre at no cost. See the individual procedure page for a firm figure.

In short

Private neurosurgery ranges from £8,000 for a microdiscectomy to £60,000+ for complex deformity or revision work.

Procedure Indicative range
Neurosurgical consultation (in-person) £300–£550
Lumbar microdiscectomy £8,000–£14,000
Lumbar laminectomy or decompression £10,000–£18,000
ACDF (single-level cervical fusion) £14,000–£22,000
Cervical disc replacement (arthroplasty) £15,000–£24,000
Lumbar fusion (TLIF / PLIF / XLIF, single-level) £20,000–£35,000
Craniotomy for tumour or vascular lesion £25,000–£45,000
Endoscopic pituitary or skull base surgery £22,000–£40,000
Complex / deformity / revision surgery £35,000–£60,000+

Prices vary by centre, by the surgeon’s subspecialty, by implant type, by intra-operative adjuncts (neuronavigation, neurophysiology, intra-op MRI) and by length of inpatient stay. We confirm a firm figure per procedure within one to two working days.

The problem

The right surgeon, the right centre, the right operation - in that order.

Neurosurgery and spinal surgery are unforgiving specialties. A brilliant surgeon in the wrong subspecialty, or a good centre without a neuro-MDT, is not enough. We work through all three questions before booking anything.

  • Is surgery even the answer?

    Radiosurgery, endovascular treatment, medical management or watch-and-wait may be the better call. The MDT decides.

  • Which subspecialist?

    A skull base tumour goes to a skull base surgeon; a scoliosis to a deformity surgeon; a spinal tumour to a spinal oncology surgeon. Not to a generalist.

  • Which centre?

    One of the 24 SBNS-recognised UK adult centres - with neuro-ITU, neurophysiology, neuroradiology and neuropathology on site.

The journey

From enquiry to rehabilitation - what happens, in order.

One case manager from the first email through MDT, surgery and long follow-up. You are not passed between hospitals.

  1. 01

    Before

    You send us the scans and the story

    A short, confidential form and any imaging you already have - MRI, CT, angiogram. We work out what the question actually is.

  2. 02

    Before

    We come back with a recommendation

    Within one to two working days: the right specialist centre, the right surgeon, and whether an MDT review is needed before anything else.

  3. 03

    Before

    We arrange the consultation and MDT

    A named neurosurgeon or spinal surgeon, and - for tumour, vascular and complex cases - presentation at the neuro-MDT.

  4. 04

    On the day

    Admission and pre-op

    Admission to a neurosurgical ward, review by the neuro-anaesthetist, and marking of the surgical site with the consultant.

  5. 05

    On the day

    The operation itself

    From a two-hour discectomy to a ten-hour skull base resection - done by a subspecialty consultant in a neurosurgical theatre with intra-operative imaging and neurophysiology as needed.

  6. 06

    On the day

    Neuro-ITU or high-dependency recovery

    Most cranial and complex spinal cases go to neuro-ITU or HDU overnight. Simple spinal cases return to the ward.

  7. 07

    After

    Rehabilitation and long follow-up

    Physio, neuro-rehab, wound checks and interval imaging - for months to years depending on the diagnosis.

Typical end-to-end: 2–6 weeks from enquiry to surgery (faster for urgent cases). Full rehabilitation: months to a year depending on procedure.

What the specialty covers

The scope of neurosurgery and spine surgery.

Cranial, spinal and peripheral nerve - with one red flag that is a same-day emergency rather than a clinic appointment.

  • Brain tumour

    Gliomas, meningiomas, metastases - resection by craniotomy or keyhole approach, with MDT-agreed onward oncology.

  • Cerebrovascular disease

    Aneurysm clipping, AVM resection, cavernoma and bypass surgery - often paired with neurointerventional coiling or embolisation.

  • Skull base and pituitary

    Endoscopic endonasal pituitary adenoma excision, and open or keyhole skull base surgery for meningiomas and schwannomas.

  • Trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm

    Microvascular decompression when medical therapy fails - a targeted keyhole operation with a strong track record.

  • Head injury and hydrocephalus

    Evacuation of subdural, extradural and traumatic contusion; ventriculo-peritoneal shunts and endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

  • Epilepsy and movement disorders

    Resective epilepsy surgery, laser interstitial thermal therapy, deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s and tremor.

  • Degenerative and deformity spine

    Discectomy, laminectomy, foraminotomy, cervical and lumbar fusion, disc replacement, scoliosis and kyphosis correction.

  • Red flag: cauda equina syndrome

    New saddle numbness, bladder or bowel changes, bilateral leg weakness - a same-day emergency needing MRI and surgical decompression within 24–48 hours.

Deeper reading, by procedure

Cranial

Categories of work

How neurosurgery and spinal surgery divide up.

Each category is its own subspecialty. Individual procedure pages carry the detail; this is the map.

  • Cranial - tumour and vascular

    Craniotomy or keyhole craniotomy for tumours, aneurysms, AVMs, cavernomas and bypass procedures. Often preceded by functional MRI and awake mapping.

  • Skull base and pituitary

    Endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery and minimally invasive skull base surgery for meningiomas, schwannomas and clival lesions - joint ENT/neurosurgery.

  • Functional and movement

    Microvascular decompression, deep brain stimulation, epilepsy resection and neuromodulation for chronic pain and spasticity.

  • Trauma and hydrocephalus

    Emergency evacuation of subdural, extradural and contusion, plus VP shunts and endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus.

  • Spine - degenerative

    Discectomy, laminectomy, foraminotomy, ACDF, cervical arthroplasty, lumbar TLIF / PLIF / ALIF / XLIF - open or minimally invasive.

  • Spine - deformity, tumour, trauma

    Adult and adolescent scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis reduction, fracture fixation, spinal cord decompression and excision of spinal tumour.

  • Peripheral nerve surgery

    Brachial plexus reconstruction, nerve entrapment release (ulnar, median, tibial), and excision of peripheral nerve tumours.

  • Radiosurgery and neurointervention

    Gamma Knife and CyberKnife for tumours and AVMs; endovascular coiling, embolisation and mechanical thrombectomy - usually run by interventional neuroradiology, not neurosurgery.

Our vetted UK network

A small panel of subspecialty neurosurgeons and spinal surgeons, we picked them.

Consultants across the SBNS-recognised centres - London, Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and beyond. Introductions are made privately, matched to your diagnosis.

Selection criteria

How we choose every neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon in our network.

A modern UK neurosurgical theatre set up for cranial and spinal work
Consultant-led · SBNS centre

  • Consultant neurosurgeons and spinal surgeons at SBNS-recognised UK centres

  • Subspecialty match - a skull base tumour goes to a skull base surgeon, not a general neurosurgeon

  • Full neuro-MDT: neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, neuroradiology, neuropathology, neurology

  • Neuro-ITU, neuro-anaesthesia and intra-operative neurophysiology available on site

Safety and recovery

The honest expectations - general, then procedure-specific.

The general risks below apply across neurosurgery and spine. The individual page carries the specific numbers for your operation.

  • The risks are procedure-specific

    A microdiscectomy and a posterior fossa craniotomy sit at opposite ends of the risk spectrum. The individual procedure page carries the honest numbers - this page is the map, not the manual.

  • Neurological deficit is the risk that matters most

    Weakness, sensory change, speech or vision loss, cranial nerve deficit - the pre-op MDT and intra-operative neurophysiology exist to minimise this, not to promise it will not happen.

  • CSF leak, infection and bleeding

    The three common early complications after cranial or complex spinal surgery. All are managed if caught early - most centres run a dedicated post-op nurse specialist.

  • DVT, PE, MI and stroke

    Long operations plus reduced mobility raise the risk of venous thromboembolism and cardiac events. Prophylactic anticoagulation and early mobilisation are standard.

  • Seizures after cranial surgery

    A small but real risk after craniotomy - many patients are on anticonvulsants for a period, and driving restrictions apply.

  • Hardware complications in spine

    Screws, cages and rods can loosen, migrate or fail - most often years later. Revision surgery is sometimes needed.

  • Recovery is measured in months

    Cranial recovery: six weeks to six months. Spinal fusion: three to twelve months. Rehab is part of the operation, not an add-on.

  • Chronic pain can persist

    Especially after spinal decompression or fusion - a proportion of patients have ongoing pain despite technically successful surgery. Honest expectation-setting matters.

  • Red flags after surgery

    Sudden weakness, worsening headache, high fever, new bladder or bowel change, or a leaking wound - call the centre immediately, or A&E if out of hours.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever operation is done, the note the neurosurgeon or spinal surgeon sends you follows the same shape.

A UK consultant neurosurgeon reviewing MRI and operation notes

A quiet reminder

Neurosurgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the operation note before your follow-up, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Diagnosis and MDT recommendation

    What the diagnosis is (tumour type, disc level, vascular lesion), and what the multidisciplinary team recommended - including alternatives considered.

  2. 02 Technique

    Approach, extent and adjuncts

    Which operation was done, the approach used (open, keyhole, endoscopic, minimally invasive), and whether image guidance, neurophysiology or awake mapping were used.

  3. 03 Findings

    Intra-operative findings and completeness

    What was found in theatre, how complete the resection or decompression was, and any unexpected features - vascular anomaly, adhesion, tumour extension.

  4. 04 Impression

    Plan, rehab and follow-up

    Read this first: expected recovery, driving and work restrictions, when scans repeat, and what the onward plan is - oncology, radiotherapy, rehab, or interval imaging.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Cover for neurosurgery and spinal surgery is usually funded when medically indicated, subject to pre-authorisation and any excess. Cosmetic or elective spinal work may be self-pay. We confirm cover before booking.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about neurosurgery and spinal surgery.

Quick answers on where care happens, who decides, and how the specialty is really organised in the UK.

  • Where in the UK is neurosurgery done?

    At one of the 24 SBNS-recognised adult neurosurgical centres (plus 12 paediatric centres). NHS-funded care is delivered through your regional centre; private care runs through the specialist units attached to major London and regional hospitals. General private hospitals do not perform brain or complex spinal surgery.

  • Do I need a specialist neurosurgical centre?

    For anything intracranial, complex spinal, vascular or oncological - yes, and it is not negotiable. Neuro-ITU, neuro-anaesthesia, neurophysiology, neuroradiology and neuropathology have to be under one roof. Straightforward lumbar discectomy can safely happen in a well-equipped orthopaedic unit; anything more should not.

  • Who decides which operation I need?

    The neuro-MDT - a weekly meeting of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists and (for pituitary or skull base) endocrinologists and ENT surgeons. Any tumour, vascular or complex spinal case should be presented there before a decision is made.

  • How much does private neurosurgery or spinal surgery cost?

    Highly variable by procedure and complexity: a lumbar microdiscectomy sits around £8,000–£14,000, an ACDF £14,000–£22,000, a craniotomy for tumour £25,000–£45,000, and complex deformity or revision work can exceed £60,000. We confirm a firm figure per procedure within one to two working days.

  • Is minimally invasive surgery always better?

    No - it is better when the anatomy and pathology suit it. A minimally invasive TLIF and a keyhole craniotomy have their place; a large skull base tumour or a scoliosis correction does not. A good surgeon does not always reach for the smallest incision.

  • How long is recovery?

    A microdiscectomy: two to six weeks. A single-level fusion: three to six months. A craniotomy: six weeks to six months for cognitive recovery, longer if adjuvant treatment follows. Complex deformity work: up to a year. Rehab is central, not optional.

  • What is cauda equina syndrome, and why is it an emergency?

    It is compression of the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord causing new saddle numbness, bladder or bowel change and bilateral leg symptoms. It needs an emergency MRI and surgical decompression within 24–48 hours to have the best chance of recovery - do not wait for a routine appointment.

  • What about Gamma Knife and CyberKnife - are those neurosurgery?

    They are stereotactic radiosurgery - a non-invasive way of delivering very focused radiation to a small target. They are usually run jointly by neurosurgeons and clinical oncologists for small tumours (metastases, acoustic neuroma) and AVMs, and are often an alternative to open surgery in the right patient.

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