NHS General Surgery Waiting Times in South West
Waiting times for all NHS and commissioned independent sector General Surgery providers in South West, covering Bristol, Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. Data sourced directly from NHS England RTT statistics.
16w
Regional average
4w
Shortest wait
33w
Longest wait
3w below
vs national average
All General Surgery hospitals in South 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hathaway Independent Health Group | 4w | 5w |
| Gloucester Independent Health Group | 4w | 4w |
| Westbury Independent Health Group | 5w | 6w |
| Salisbury Independent Health Group | 7w | 11w |
| The Ridgeway Hospital - Circle | 8w | 13w |
| Bath Clinic - Circle | 8w | 22w |
| University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust | 11w | 16w |
| Plymouth Practice Plus Group | 13w | 16w |
| Shepton Practice Plus Group | 14w | 21w |
| Duchy Hospital - Ramsay | 14w | 21w |
| Emersons Green Practice Plus Group | 14w | 23w |
| New Hall Hospital - Ramsay | 14w | 20w |
| The Winterbourne Hospital - Circle | 14w | 24w |
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 14w | 22w |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | 15w | 18w |
| Mount Stuart Hospital - Ramsay | 15w | 18w |
| Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust | 16w | 33w |
| Bath - Sulis Hospital | 19w | 29w |
| University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 19w | 48w |
| Winfield Hospital - Ramsay | 20w | 34w |
| Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 21w | 38w |
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 23w | 40w |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | 24w | 49w |
| North Bristol NHS Trust | 27w | 46w |
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 29w | 53w |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 33w | 49w |
Your right to choose a hospital in South 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 South 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 General Surgery wait in South West?
Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the average treatment wait for General Surgery in South West is 16 weeks. The shortest available wait across 26 reporting hospitals is 4 weeks. Figures are refreshed weekly.
Can I choose a hospital outside South 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 South West?
Yes. Many private hospitals across South 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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