NHS Gastroenterology Waiting Times
The average NHS Gastroenterology wait in England is 15 weeks, but it ranges from 3 weeks at Pinehill Hospital - Ramsay to 39 weeks elsewhere. That gap is yours to use — you have a legal right to choose where you are treated.
What Gastroenterology covers
Gastroenterology covers the stomach, bowel, liver and pancreas — reflux and indigestion, changes in bowel habit, Crohn's disease and colitis, coeliac disease, liver problems, and unexplained weight loss. A large share of referrals lead to a camera test: a colonoscopy for the lower bowel or a gastroscopy for the stomach.
People are usually referred here for
- A change in bowel habit or blood in the stool
- Persistent reflux or indigestion
- Suspected Crohn's disease or colitis
- Coeliac disease
- Abnormal liver blood tests
- A colonoscopy or gastroscopy
15w
Avg treatment wait
3w
Shortest wait
39w
Longest wait
188
Hospitals reporting
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Shortest Gastroenterology waits in England
| # | Hospital | Region | Avg treatment wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Pinehill Hospital - Ramsay | East of England | 3w |
| 02 | Three Shires Hospital - Circle | Midlands | 3w |
| 03 | Plymouth Practice Plus Group | South West | 3w |
| 04 | Ilford Practice Plus Group | London | 3w |
| 05 | St Marys Portsmouth Practice Plus Group | South East | 4w |
| 06 | Gillingham Practice Plus Group | South East | 4w |
| 07 | Emersons Green Practice Plus Group | South West | 4w |
| 08 | Southampton Practice Plus Group | South East | 4w |
| 09 | Shepton Practice Plus Group | South West | 5w |
| 10 | Glendon Wood Hospital - Ramsay | Midlands | 5w |
Average Gastroenterology wait by region
Were you referred somewhere else?
The same problem is sometimes handled by a different department, and the wait can be very different. Check these too:
Your right to choose a Gastroenterology hospital
Under the NHS Constitution and the Health Act 2009, you have a legal right to choose which NHS or NHS-commissioned independent sector provider sees you for your first outpatient Gastroenterology appointment.
Your GP must refer you via the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) and offer you at least five choices. If you have already been referred to a hospital with a long wait, you can ask your GP to re-refer you to a provider with a shorter wait. This is entirely within your rights.
Research shows the average extra distance to a significantly shorter wait is just 13 miles.
Read the full Gastroenterology Right to Choose guide →Ready to find a shorter Gastroenterology wait?
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