Haemorrhoid Treatment on the NHS


If you have haemorrhoids or if you think you have haemorrhoids, then your first place to visit for potential treatment is your local doctor’s surgery. This is a suitable place to start, they can offer confirm your diagnosis and offer advice on how to treat the symptoms to help your feel more comfortable.

If you were seeking a treatment on how to actually treat and hopefully remove haemorrhoids, then you may be left disappointed.

Can I get haemorrhoid treatment on the NHS?

The NHS does treat haemorrhoids; however, you will have to meet strict criteria which often includes having tried multiple non-surgical interventions such as dietary changes, hydrocortisone cream for piles or banding and you have had no improvement.

In 2018 a consultation was conducted by the NHS which ultimately decided which treatments would continue to get funded or not. It was decided that haemorrhoidectomy surgery would be reduced in theatres from April 2019 onwards as part of the NHS England guideline through the clinic care group (CCGS). Click here to read the consultation document.

What this has meant is that very few haemorrhoidectomy surgical procedures are being carried out under the NHS which has resulted in long waiting lists and a limited choice of treatment options.

What haemorrhoid treatments are available on the NHS?

If you do manage to get on the waiting list for haemorrhoid treatment on the NHS, then you may be offered a range of treatments including:

  • Rubber Band Ligation – This treatment involves a band being placed around your piles to encourage them to drop off.
  • Sclerotherapy – This is when a liquid is injected into the piles to make them reduce in size.
  • Electrotherapy – The treatment involves using electric current which is applied to the piles to make them shrink.
  • Infrared Coagulation – An infrared light is used to cut the blood supply to the piles to make them shrink.
  • Haemorrhoidectomy – This is a surgical procedure where your piles are cut out and removed from the area.
  • Stapled Haemorrhoidectomy – This is a variation on a haemorrhoidectomy procedure where instead the haemorrhoids are stapled back inside the anus.
  • Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation – This procedure uses stitches to cut the blood supply to the piles which causes them to shrink.

Surgical procedures for haemorrhoids are performed under general anaesthetic and often require a hospital stay following the procedure.

Many patients are now choosing to go private for piles operations as the benefits often outweigh the additional costs.

What are the benefits of private haemorrhoid treatment?

  • No waiting list
  • Faster and less painful treatment
  • Revolutionary new treatment
  • You can choose your consultant
  • More choices of where and when you want to have your treatment
  • Access to treatments that may not be available on the NHS local to you

What haemorrhoid treatments are available privately?

At The Private Clinic, we are able to offer patients a revolutionary new way to treat haemorrhoids as a day case procedure, performed in-clinic with reduced downtime.

The Rafaelo procedure, also known as Radio Frequency Ablation of Haemorrhoids under Local Anaesthetic is a safe and effective internal piles treatment that uses radiofrequency ablation.

When we consult patients for haemorrhoid treatment, Rafaelo is usually our first choice of treatment. We have a team of expert Consultant Colorectal Surgeons who have been performing the procedure regularly and will help you to achieve the best results.

Why choose Rafaelo haemorrhiod treatment?

  • 15 Minute walk in walk out procedure.
  • Performed under local anaesthetic.
  • Almost painless procedure.
  • Symptoms instantly reduced.
  • Minimal post-operative pain and aftercare.
  • Able to return to daily activities immediately.
  • Minimal chance of recurrence.
  • No overnight stay.
  • Treatment carried out in our discreet Birmingham or London Private Clinics with no need to travel to a hospital.

Where can I have private haemorrhoid treatment?

We offer consultations for the Rafaelo® procedure at our clinics in London Harley Street and Birmingham.

London Harley Street Haemorrhoid clinic

Our London Harley Street clinic is our flagship clinic located in central London. Patients will be able to see Consultant General and Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgeon, Mr Piero Nastro MD, MRCS, FRCS (Eng) GMC Number 6037215. Mr Nastro specialises in all types of haemorrhoid treatments including Rafaelo and is able to offer his expert advice to ensure you are receiving the best treatment.

Birmingham Haemorrhoid clinic

Our clinic in Birmingham is located close to the city centre. Consultant Laparoscopic General and Colorectal Surgeon, Mr Amit Patel is our resident surgeon. Mr Patel undertook the first cohort of Rafaelo® patients in the West Midlands and is extremely excited about being able to offer this revolutionary state of the art technology for the management of haemorrhoids and is confident that over time this will become a gold standard technique.

Manchester Haemorrhoid clinic

Our Manchester clinic is located in the city centre and is ideal for patients travelling from Hale/Hale Barns, Bowdon, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Leigh, Prestbury, Nantwich, Tarporley, Knutsford, Worsley, Altrincham, Cheadle and Deansgate. Consultant Laparoscopic General and Colorectal Surgeon, Mr Amit Patel holds regular consultation clinics for those suffering from haemorrhoids and other conditions such as anal skin tags.

Why choose The Private Clinic for private piles treatment?

The Private Clinic has over 40 years of offering the most advanced and effective treatments achieving outstanding results. We work with experienced surgeons, doctors and nurses who provide the best care and aftercare ensuring the patient’s safety and satisfaction every step of the way.

At The Private Clinic, we offer:

  • 24-hour patient helpline direct to your nursing team and surgeon, which means should you have any concerns we are here to help.
  • Dedicated post-operative care and appointments with your surgeon and nursing team.
  • The Private Clinic’s unique comprehensive Patient Guide on Haemorrhoids.
  • Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to newfound confidence. 
  • Find out more about our range of haemorrhoid and other colorectal procedures that we provide. 

Get in touch

To Book a Haemorrhoids Treatment consultation at any of our clinics please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form.