A clear, step-by-step guide for anyone in the Southwest considering private hip replacement surgery with Mr David Stitson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital.
If hip pain has started dictating your day — the walk you no longer take, the stairs you dread, the round of golf you’ve quietly given up — you are not alone. Osteoarthritis of the hip becomes increasingly common from our mid-fifties onwards and for many people a private consultation is the fastest, clearest route to finding out what can be done about it.
This guide will take you through exactly what to expect from your first private hip consultation, the pathway that follows, realistic waiting times and what surgery is likely to cost — so that you can make a well-informed decision at your own pace.
“You will leave with a clear, honest picture of your situation and, if you choose to proceed, a defined next step, rather than an open-ended wait to find out.”
What Happens at Your Private Hip Consultation
Your first appointment with Mr Stitson is an unhurried, one-to-one conversation focused entirely on you.
There is no need to feel rushed and no need for a GP referral beforehand; you are welcome to self-refer, which many patients find speeds things up considerably (NB – Some private health insurance plans require a GP referral).
During your consultation, you can expect Mr Stitson to:
- Listen to your history — when the pain started, how it affects your walking, sleep, work and hobbies
- Carry out a thorough physical examination of your hip and gait
- Review or arrange any imaging needed, such as an X-ray, to confirm the extent of joint wear
- Talk through all your options — not just surgery, but any non-surgical measures worth trying first
- If hip replacement is appropriate, explain the procedure, implant choices and recovery in plain English, answering every question you have
You will leave with a clear, honest picture of your situation and, if you choose to proceed, a defined next step, rather than an open-ended wait to find out.
6 Steps for a Typical Private Hip Replacement Pathway
Private hip treatment follows a structured pathway, but one built around your schedule rather than a generic waiting list.
Here’s how it typically unfolds:
1. Initial Consultation
Your first meeting with Mr Stitson to discuss symptoms, examine the hip and agree next steps. Most patients are seen within around a week of getting in touch.
2. Diagnostic Imaging
X-rays (and occasionally a CT or MRI scan) confirm the diagnosis and help plan the surgery precisely, including implant selection. These are arranged at the Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital.
3. Treatment Planning & Consent
Once surgery is agreed, you will receive a clear breakdown of the procedure, the implant being used, expected recovery timeframe and a fixed, all-inclusive price — with no surprises later.
4. Pre-Operative Assessment
A routine health check to make sure you are fit for surgery and anaesthetic, usually carried out shortly before your admission date.
5. Surgery & Hospital Stay
Your hip replacement is performed at the Nuffield Health Plymouth Hospital, typically with a short inpatient stay while your recovery is monitored and initial physiotherapy begins.
6. Recovery & Follow-Up
Structured aftercare including physiotherapy guidance and a follow-up consultation with Mr Stitson to check your progress and mobility.
Waiting Times: Private vs NHS
One of the main reasons patients choose the private route is time. NHS waits for hip replacement have lengthened considerably in recent years and in some parts of the country patients can wait many months, in some cases over a year, from referral to surgery.
Going private with Mr Stitson looks very different:
- Consultation within around 7 days of your enquiry
- Surgery typically 4–6 weeks after your consultation, once you’re ready to proceed
That means from your very first phone call to walking out of hospital with a new hip, you could realistically be looking at 5–7 weeks, not months, or even years, of pain or uncertainty.
Cost & How to Pay
Transparency matters when you are making a decision about your health, which is why every price is agreed upfront and fixed, the price you’re quoted is the price you pay, with no hidden extras.
Guide Prices (2026) for a Hip Replacement:
- Initial consultation: £250
- Follow-up consultation: £150
- Total hip replacement (with or without cement): £17,449
This covers Mr Stitson’s fee, anaesthetic, hospital stay and aftercare.
Blood tests and imaging (X-ray, MRI or CT) are billed separately by the Nuffield Hospital or your insurer.
There are several straightforward ways to pay:
- Private medical insurance — most major insurers are accepted; check whether your hip condition is covered under your policy
- Self-pay — pay directly for complete control over timing
- 0% finance — spread the cost interest-free over 6, 10 or 12 months through Nuffield Health and Chrysalis Finance, with longer-term options also available
Whichever route suits you, payment is confirmed before treatment, so there’s never any ambiguity about what you owe.
Are you ready to Take the Next Steps to improve your mobility? Book Your Private Hip Consultation with David Stitson
If hip pain is holding you back from the life you want, whether that’s walking the coast path, keeping up with grandchildren, or simply a good night’s sleep, the first step is a conversation. There is no obligation and no need for a GP referral to get started.
Living with constant hip pain is not something you have to accept as part of ageing. Many people in their late 60s and 70s find that a private hip replacement restores their mobility and transforms their quality of life.
To discuss your symptoms and explore whether hip replacement surgery is the right option for you, contact Mr David Stitson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, at the Nuffield Hospital, Plymouth.
- Call: 01752 761818
- Visit: www.orthopaedicsplymouth.co.uk
- Email: enquiries@orthopaedicsplymouth.co.uk
Take the first step towards a more comfortable, active life today.
Take the Next Step…
If joint pain is stopping you from doing the things you love, book a consultation with Mr Stitson to discuss your options.
– Consult Your GP: If you are experiencing joint pain and are considering surgery, start by booking an appointment with your GP. They will be able to refer you to a specialist if needed.
– Understand Your Options: There are the key avenues you can explore to speed up your access to joint surgery contributing to a swifter recovery and getting you back on your feet sooner.
– Do Your Research: Familiarise yourself with different types of joint replacement procedures and what each one involves.
– Speak with Mr Stitson: Book a consultation with David Stitson, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon based in Plymouth, to discuss what might be the best approach for you personally. He will provide detailed information specific to your situation.
– A consultation helps you understand:
- What is causing your pain
- Whether joint surgery is appropriate
- Alternatives to surgery
- Expected recovery and outcomes
Surgery may sound daunting, but for many, it provides much-needed relief and the chance to regain mobility. This step can be pivotal in improving your quality of life, helping to reduce pain and stiffness in your hip or knee, dramatically.
By addressing the underlying issues, joint surgery can pave the way for a more active lifestyle, allowing you to return to the activities you love without the constant concern of hip or knee pain holding you back.
Taking action now may help you regain confidence, mobility and quality of life.
Is it time to see a Hip specialist? Get Private Orthopaedic Surgery in Plymouth in just 4-6 weeks
⇒ Consultation in 7 days or less
⇒ Consultation to surgery, 4-6 weeks
About Hip Surgery
Total hip replacement surgery replaces the worn-out painful and stiff hip joint with a new prosthetic joint. This procedure is normally performed under spinal anaesthesia and is commonly followed by a night or two in the hospital. Day-case hip replacement surgery may be an appropriate option for you.
About Mr Stitson
David Stitson is a Plymouth-based Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon. Trained both in the UK and internationally, he has worked in medicine for more than 20 years for the NHS, for the Royal Air Force and in private practice. Mr Stitson operates privately at the Nuffield Health Hospital, Plymouth.
Are you ready to Take the Next Steps to improve your mobility?
Living with constant joint pain is not something you have to accept as part of ageing. Many people in their late 60s and 70s find that a private joint replacement restores their mobility and transforms their quality of life.
📞 To discuss your symptoms and explore whether joint replacement surgery is the right option for you, contact Mr David Stitson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, at the Nuffield Hospital, Plymouth.
- Call: 01752 761818
- Visit: www.orthopaedicsplymouth.co.uk
- Email: enquiries@orthopaedicsplymouth.co.uk
Take the first step towards a more comfortable, active life today.
The Nuffield Plymouth CQC Rating
The Nuffield Hospital has a history that spans over half a century and has built a reputation for high standards of care, professionalism and expertise in delivering health services. They aim for continuous quality improvement in everything they do.
Active Quality and Governance programmes are in place at the Nuffield Hospital Plymouth. As part of this, the hospital is inspected by independent healthcare regulators to ensure it meets the fundamental standards of quality and safety as determined by the regulating body (CQC).
In the most recent inspection, Plymouth Nuffield Hospital was rated as ‘Good’ overall, however, the surgical element of the inspection was rated as ‘Outstanding’. The hospital was referred to as:
“Outstanding in effective and caring, and
Good in safe, responsive and well-led.”
