NHS Ophthalmology Waiting Times in East of England
Waiting times for all NHS and commissioned independent sector Ophthalmology providers in East of England, covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Data sourced directly from NHS England RTT statistics.
14w
Regional average
5w
Shortest wait
23w
Longest wait
1w above
vs national average
All Ophthalmology hospitals in East of England
Sorted by shortest treatment wait. Green badges indicate waits below 80% of the national average for this specialty.
| Hospital | Treatment wait | 8 in 10 patients wait |
|---|---|---|
| Luton Spamedica | 5w | 7w |
| Chelmsford Aces | 7w | 10w |
| The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King`s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust | 8w | 16w |
| Bedford Spamedica | 8w | 11w |
| Colchester Spamedica | 8w | 10w |
| East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust | 9w | 14w |
| Watford Spamedica | 9w | 15w |
| Southend Hospital - Circle | 10w | 16w |
| Watford CHEC | 10w | 15w |
| Peterborough Spamedica | 11w | 13w |
| Chelmsford Spamedica | 11w | 15w |
| The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust | 11w | 19w |
| Milton Keynes Aces | 12w | 18w |
| Stevenage CHEC | 12w | 16w |
| Buckhurst Hill Essex Nuffield | 12w | 23w |
| Norwich Newmedica | 12w | 19w |
| Welwyn Garden City Newmedica | 13w | 17w |
| West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 13w | 26w |
| Milton Keynes CHEC | 14w | 21w |
| Blakelands Hospital - Ramsay | 14w | 22w |
| Cambridge Spamedica | 14w | 17w |
| Pinehill Hospital - Ramsay | 15w | 24w |
| Ipswich Newmedica | 15w | 19w |
| North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust | 16w | 32w |
| Colchester Optegr | 17w | 23w |
| Fitzwilliam Hospital - Ramsay | 17w | 26w |
| East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust | 17w | 30w |
| West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust | 17w | 27w |
| Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 17w | 31w |
| James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 18w | 28w |
| Norwich Spamedica | 18w | 24w |
| Oaks Hospital - Ramsay | 19w | 24w |
| Bury St Edmunds Hospital - Circle | 20w | 26w |
| Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust | 20w | 38w |
| Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 20w | 30w |
| Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 21w | 38w |
| Rivers Hospital - Ramsay | 23w | 26w |
| Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 23w | 51w |
Your right to choose a hospital in East of England
The NHS Constitution and the NHS Choice Framework give you the legal right to choose any NHS or commissioned independent sector provider in England for your first outpatient appointment. This right applies whether you live in East of England or anywhere else in England. You are not limited to the hospital your GP first mentions, and you are not limited to providers within your local Integrated Care Board area.
If you have already been referred and are waiting at a hospital with a longer wait, ask your GP to redirect your referral to a provider with a shorter wait. Our Switch Pack includes a letter template and a step-by-step guide to help you make that request.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the average NHS Ophthalmology wait in East of England?
Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the average treatment wait for Ophthalmology in East of England is 14 weeks. The shortest available wait across 38 reporting hospitals is 5 weeks. Figures are refreshed weekly.
Can I choose a hospital outside East of England for my NHS referral?
Yes. The NHS Choice Framework gives you the legal right to choose any NHS or commissioned independent sector provider in England, regardless of which region you live in. If a hospital in a different region has a shorter wait, you can ask your GP to refer you there instead.
Does patient choice apply to independent sector hospitals in East of England?
Yes. Many private hospitals across East of England are commissioned by the NHS under the Independent Sector Treatment Centre programme. These providers appear on the NHS e-Referral Service alongside NHS trusts. You pay nothing for your care, and they often have shorter waiting times. Ask your GP whether commissioned independent providers are available for your specialty.
What is the 18-week NHS waiting time standard?
The NHS Constitution states that patients should not wait more than 18 weeks from GP referral to the start of treatment. In many specialties, waits are currently running above this standard. Patient choice allows you to look for a provider that is closer to meeting the 18-week target. ShorterWait shows you the current wait at every reporting hospital.
Data sourced from NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) statistics under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Not medical advice. Always consult your GP before changing your care arrangements.
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