NHS Colorectal Waiting Times in North West
Waiting times for all NHS and commissioned independent sector Colorectal providers in North West, covering Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and Cheshire. Data sourced directly from NHS England RTT statistics.
15w
Regional average
8w
Shortest wait
24w
Longest wait
1w below
vs national average
All Colorectal hospitals in North West
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 |
|---|---|---|
| North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust | 8w | 11w |
| Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | 12w | 17w |
| Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 12w | 20w |
| Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust | 12w | 19w |
| Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust | 13w | 15w |
| Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 13w | 22w |
| University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust | 13w | 19w |
| Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 14w | 24w |
| Bolton NHS Foundation Trust | 15w | 33w |
| Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 16w | 37w |
| Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 16w | 27w |
| Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | 18w | 39w |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 20w | 42w |
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 24w | 47w |
Your right to choose a hospital in North West
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 North West 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 Colorectal wait in North West?
Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the average treatment wait for Colorectal in North West is 15 weeks. The shortest available wait across 14 reporting hospitals is 8 weeks. Figures are refreshed weekly.
Can I choose a hospital outside North West 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 North West?
Yes. Many private hospitals across North West 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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