NHS Ophthalmology Waiting Times in South West
Waiting times for all NHS and commissioned independent sector Ophthalmology providers in South West, covering Bristol, Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. Data sourced directly from NHS England RTT statistics.
13w
Regional average
5w
Shortest wait
24w
Longest wait
0w below
vs national average
All Ophthalmology 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Practice Plus Group | 5w | 7w |
| Salisbury Independent Health Group | 7w | 9w |
| Swindon Spamedica | 7w | 8w |
| Bristol Spamedica | 7w | 8w |
| Spamedica Gloucester | 7w | 9w |
| Westbury Independent Health Group | 8w | 12w |
| Truro Spamedica | 8w | 11w |
| Plymouth Newmedica | 8w | 14w |
| Bristol Litfield House Newmedica | 8w | 11w |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | 8w | 16w |
| Shepton Practice Plus Group | 9w | 11w |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 9w | 18w |
| Swindon CHEC | 9w | 15w |
| Torbay and South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 10w | 15w |
| Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 11w | 21w |
| Bristol Aces | 11w | 15w |
| Emersons Green Practice Plus Group | 11w | 17w |
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 12w | 20w |
| Exeter Newmedica | 12w | 17w |
| Langford Newmedica | 12w | 18w |
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 12w | 21w |
| University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust | 13w | 22w |
| Poole Spamedica | 13w | 17w |
| Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust | 14w | 23w |
| Exeter Spamedica | 14w | 19w |
| Gloucester Newmedica | 14w | 21w |
| Exeter Aces | 15w | 21w |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | 16w | 25w |
| Bath - Sulis Hospital | 17w | 29w |
| New Hall Hospital - Ramsay | 17w | 22w |
| Taunton Spamedica | 17w | 23w |
| University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 19w | 31w |
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 20w | 36w |
| Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 20w | 37w |
| Gloucester Aspen Newmedica | 22w | 34w |
| The Ridgeway Hospital - Circle | 22w | 28w |
| Mount Stuart Hospital - Ramsay | 24w | 32w |
| Bath Clinic - Circle | 24w | 31w |
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 Ophthalmology wait in South West?
Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the average treatment wait for Ophthalmology in South West is 13 weeks. The shortest available wait across 38 reporting hospitals is 5 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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