Waiting times

The NHS has a number of targets to ensure patients are seen and treated in a timely manner.

Emergency treatment waiting times

All acute NHS Trusts have a formal target to see 95 per cent of patients in A&E within four hours (set in 2010). That means four hours from arrival to admission, transfer and discharge. In December 2022 NHS England set an interim target of 76%.

In February 70% of patients were treated in our emergency departments within 4 hours.

Our staff are working hard to see and treat people as quickly as possible but we are seeing high numbers of people attending with many of those requiring admission to hospital.

Cancer treatment waiting times

Cancer waiting time standards were updated nationally in October 2023. There are now three key indicators we are measured against:

• Faster Diagnosis Standard: a diagnosis or ruling out of cancer within 28 days of referral (set at 75%)
• 31-day treatment standard: commence treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat (set at 96%)
• 62-day treatment standard: commence treatment within 62 days of being referred (set at 85%)

Our performance against these targets in January 2025 was as follows:

• 28 day faster diagnosis standard  – 67%
• 31 days from decision to treat to first treatment – 93%
• 62 days from urgent referral to start of treatment -42%

Waiting for planned treatment

We’re working hard to make sure patients get the treatment they need, as quickly as possible. The NHS Constitution sets out that patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from GP referral to treatment for routine referrals. Patients may be considered urgent such as those with suspected cancer and heart disease and therefore will be seen more quickly. However, nationally, and locally patients are waiting longer than we would like at present.

The 18 week standard does not apply if A) you choose to wait longer, B) if delaying treatment is in your best interest (clinically), C) if it is clinically appropriate to monitor your condition without intervention at that stage, D) if you fail to attend appointments or E) your treatment is no longer necessary.

When you see a clinician at your chosen hospital or clinic you may:

• undergo tests, scans or other procedures to help ensure that your treatment is tailored appropriately to your condition
• have medication or therapy to manage your symptoms until you start treatment
• be referred to another consultant or department.

Your waiting time ends if no treatment is necessary or when your treatment begins. This could include:

• being admitted to hospital for an operation or treatment
• starting treatment, such as taking medication, that doesn’t require you to stay in hospital
• beginning your fitting of a medical device, such as leg braces
• agreeing to your condition being monitored for a time to see whether you need further treatment
• receiving advice from hospital staff to manage your condition.

Our performance against the Referral to Treatment (RTT) target for January 2025, was 61%.

Waiting times for a new routine outpatient appointment (as of 11 March 2025)

These are the current waiting times for new routine outpatient appointments (number of weeks from referral to your 1st appointment.)

The table below is for routine appointments only. Your GP may ask for you to be seen more urgently or on receipt of your referral our clinical teams may decide that you require a more urgent appointment. In these cases you will usually be offered an appointment within 6 weeks of receipt of your referral.

We aim to provide accurate waiting times but please note that these are a forecast and may change.

 Do you still need an appointment?

If you no longer need your appointment, please let us know, so we can offer it someone else who is waiting.

 

Waiting times for a diagnostic test (as of 10 January 2025)

The current waiting times in weeks for a diagnostic test:

Staying well while you wait

Health apps

You’re just one click away from hundreds of apps that can help you with your health and wellbeing. The apps on this website have been reviewed as safe to use to support you staying well whilst waiting for your treatment. To learn more visit https://hnyhealthapps.co.uk/en-GB

In the time before your treatment, you can take simple steps to improve your physical and mental health. This will reduce your risk of complications and improve your wellbeing now and during your recovery.

It’s important to:

• follow any specific advice you’ve received about how to prepare for your procedure or operation
• stop smoking
• keep taking your prescribed medicines, unless you’ve been told not to by your GP or hospital clinician
• eat well, and get to or keep a healthy weight
• exercise and keep active, unless you have been told not to
• control your blood pressure
• control your blood sugar levels, especially if you have or are at risk of diabetes
• avoid drinking more than the recommended 14 units of alcohol per week
• get support for your mental health if you need it

The NHS has information about exercise, healthy weight, sleep, eating well, alcohol, sexual health and mental health in the NHS Live Well advice.

You can also get advice and support from a GP, or the hospital team caring for you.

If your health worsens while you are waiting

If your symptoms change or become worse:-

Contact a GP if:

• you have not had your first appointment with the department at the hospital
• your GP has referred you for a diagnostic test, such as a scan or X-ray

Contact the hospital team caring for you if:

• you’re waiting for a follow-up appointment, after being seen by someone at our hospitals
• someone at our hospitals has referred you for a diagnostic test, such as a scan or X-ray
• you’re waiting for surgery or an outpatient procedure
• you no longer need or want to have treatment

Out of hours

If you have an urgent medical problem, contact NHS 111. Call 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk

In an emergency

Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department.