Revealed: NHS trusts tell patients they can go private and jump hospital queues

Private patient units are owned and operated by NHS trusts and typically located within hospitals or in separate buildings on hospital premises. Photograph: Curtseyes/Alamy

NHS trusts with record waiting lists are promoting “quick and easy” private healthcare services at their own hospitals, offering patients the chance to jump year-long queues, the Observer can reveal.

Hospitals are offering hip replacements from £10,000, cataract surgery for £2,200 and hernia repairs for £2,500. MRI scans are offered for between £300 and £400.