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Many people in the UK consider rhinoplasty—commonly known as a nose job—for medical or cosmetic reasons. Apart from private cosmetic procedures, some forms of nose surgery are available for free on the NHS, depending on your medical needs.
This guide explains how to get a nose job on the NHS, including criteria for deviated septum surgery, what the NHS waiting list for rhinoplasty looks like, and whether cosmetic nose surgery is ever covered. If you’re struggling with breathing issues, facial trauma, or the emotional impact of your nose’s appearance, understanding the NHS process can help you take the next step toward treatment.
NHS rhinoplasty is not cosmetic – You must have a clear medical or psychological reason to qualify.
Breathing problems from a deviated septum may make you eligible for free nose surgery on the NHS.
You’ll need a GP referral followed by a specialist assessment to access treatment.
Deviated septum NHS waiting times can vary, with some patients waiting several months or longer.
Cosmetic concerns alone are not enough to qualify for a free nose job through the NHS.
If your appearance is causing serious mental health issues, you may be considered on psychological grounds—but only after thorough assessment.
NHS rhinoplasty refers to a nose reshaping procedure that is funded by the National Health Service (NHS). Unlike private cosmetic nose jobs, rhinoplasty on the NHS is only available when the surgery is considered medically necessary. This includes correcting breathing problems, repairing nasal injuries, or treating congenital deformities.
Some of the most common medical reasons for NHS rhinoplasty include:
A deviated septum causing chronic nasal obstruction
Nasal trauma due to accidents or injury
Congenital deformities affecting breathing or nasal structure
Reconstruction following tumour removal or disease
Nose job NHS approval is usually granted only after other non-surgical treatments have failed, and the condition is having a significant impact on your quality of life. Even then, approval requires a formal assessment by a consultant and may be subject to a long waiting list.
When a procedure is performed solely for cosmetic reasons, the NHS does not typically fund rhinoplasty (nose jobs).
Patients with structural obstruction of the nose may be eligible for this treatment if the obstruction is causing them to have difficulty sleeping and breathing.
Corrective nasal surgery may also be funded if the patient has been born with a complex condition, such as cleft lip and palate.
For up-to-date information search ‘nose reshaping’ at www.nhs.uk
Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), which cover a patient’s local hospital, decide whether funding will be granted for nose jobs.
You will need to present your condition and demonstrate to your doctor why you think you should get free nose surgery.
It is usually the hospital doctor responsible for treating the patient’s specific condition who can assist the patient with the funding application if there is a clinical need for the funding.
If a patient applies for funding through the local CCG, the clinician must demonstrate clinical exceptionality.
A deviated septum occurs when the cartilage and bone that separate your nostrils are displaced, making one nasal passage significantly smaller than the other. This can lead to chronic breathing difficulties, frequent sinus infections, and disrupted sleep. In such cases, deviated septum surgery on the NHS—also known as septoplasty—may be available.
To qualify for nose surgery for breathing on the NHS, you must meet specific medical criteria. The NHS does not offer septoplasty for cosmetic improvement of the nose’s shape—it is only provided when the deviation is causing significant health problems.
Persistent breathing problems not resolved through non-surgical treatments like nasal sprays or antihistamines.
Chronic nasal congestion or blockage affecting daily life or sleep.
Recurrent sinus infections or nosebleeds caused by a deviated septum.
A formal diagnosis from an ENT (ear, nose and throat) consultant confirming the deviation is the root cause of your symptoms.
Referral from your GP, who must first assess your symptoms and rule out other causes.
Once you are referred, an ENT specialist will examine your nasal passages using a nasal endoscope or imaging. If surgery is deemed necessary, you will be placed on the NHS waiting list for deviated septum surgery, which can vary in length depending on your location and hospital resources.
If your breathing issues are severe or significantly impairing your quality of life, you may be prioritised for treatment.
Under normal conditions, NHS patients referred for functional rhinoplasty—such as surgery for a deviated septum or breathing obstruction—are expected to be treated within the standard 18-week referral-to-treatment (RTT) target after being referred by their GP.
However, this timeline has been significantly affected in recent years. Due to ongoing NHS surgery backlogs following the COVID-19 pandemic, waiting times can now exceed several months to over a year in some regions, depending on clinical urgency and local hospital capacity.
If your case is considered medically necessary—for example, if you have severe breathing difficulties or structural damage—you may be prioritised and seen more quickly.
If you have visited your local hospital and the doctor did not think you qualify for HNS to pay for your procedure, or the doctor has approved you but your application has been denied by the Clinical Commissioning Group you might need to go to a private clinic.
Some patients are also turned off by the prospect of long waiting lists for HNS procedures. This is under further negative impact by the pandemic, especially if your condition is not deemed urgent.
Finally, if you only want to reshape your nose for aesthetic reasons, you have no other choice but to go privately.
At Berkeley Square Medical, our main specialty is nose reshaping and we are in a great position to help you should you decide that a private clinic is the way to go.
Depending on the experience of the facial plastic surgeon, you can find London rhinoplasty prices between £6000 and £12000.
Prices start at approximately £7000.00 for rhinoplasty at our London clinic, which is an all-inclusive price that covers your £100 consultation, a full pre-operative and aftercare, and the surgery by our multi-award-winning consultant plastic surgeon. You can read all the details on the link above.
The results you can expect from a nose job will be highly dependent on the experience of the cosmetic surgeon carrying out the procedure.
We highly recommend taking your time and doing proper research before you decide on the surgeon to trust with your facial features.
You should be careful when searching for doctors or clinics that provide nose reshaping on the internet. Some who advertise their services might not have the qualifications or the experience needed for the best results.
Check that the surgeon is licensed by the General Medical Council (GMC). Their names should appear on the specialist register and they should be licensed to practice.
Also, check the British Association of Plastic Reconstruction and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) or the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) to see if the surgeon is a “full member” on the specialist register for plastic surgery.
Book a consultation with the surgeon and ask about their experience and professional qualifications. The number of nose operations they have performed is also an important factor.
Another great question is the number of procedures where they have had complications and what was the outcome in those cases.
Finally, you wanna know everything about the aftercare they provide for their patients.
In most cases, the NHS performs a septoplasty (to straighten the nasal septum) or a reconstructive procedure if your nose has been affected by an accident, congenital issue, or long-term breathing problems. If cosmetic changes are needed, they may only be considered if there’s a strong psychological or functional justification.
The surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia, and in many cases, it’s a day-case procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. The operation may involve:
Straightening the nasal septum to improve airflow
Reshaping internal cartilage or bone to correct structural abnormalities
Repairing previous trauma to restore both appearance and function
You may hear the terms open or closed rhinoplasty—these refer to the technique used. In NHS procedures, the chosen method depends on the complexity of your case, but priority is always given to function over aesthetics.
The full recovery process usually takes several weeks, and follow-up care is provided through the NHS to ensure proper healing and breathing improvement.
If you’re seeking rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons only—such as reducing the size of the nose, lifting the tip, or smoothing a dorsal hump—this would not typically be covered by the NHS. In such cases, you would need to explore private rhinoplasty options.
Yes, but only if you meet specific medical or psychological criteria. The NHS may fund rhinoplasty for breathing problems (like a deviated septum), facial trauma, or severe psychological distress related to nose appearance. Cosmetic reasons alone are not enough.
NHS rhinoplasty is nose surgery provided through the National Health Service. It’s typically offered to correct breathing issues, repair trauma, or address significant mental health concerns caused by nasal deformity—not for purely cosmetic changes.
The waiting time can vary by location and hospital. Some patients may wait 3 to 6 months, while others experience longer delays depending on urgency and available ENT specialists.
A deviated septum alone may qualify you for septoplasty or functional rhinoplasty on the NHS—especially if it causes chronic breathing problems, nasal obstruction, or sleep issues. A GP referral is the first step.
Functional nose surgery is performed to fix medical issues like breathing problems or injury. Cosmetic nose surgery is done to improve the appearance of the nose. The NHS generally funds only functional procedures unless the appearance causes severe psychological distress.
Yes. If your nose structure is affecting your ability to breathe properly, you may be eligible for NHS-funded surgery. This includes procedures to correct a deviated septum or repair nasal trauma.
Speak to your GP, who will assess your symptoms and decide if a referral to an ENT specialist or plastic surgeon is appropriate. You’ll then be evaluated to determine whether your case meets NHS funding criteria.
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