"We have been working hard to reduce the waiting times at all our hospitals. This web page tells you more and explains how you can help us to ensure that you are treated quickly.
If you have any comments on the care and treatment that you receive, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service."
Duncan Selbie
Chief Executive
Improving care at our hospitals
We have been working hard to reduce the waiting times at all our hospitals. The majority of our patients are now being treated within 18 weeks of being referred to hospital by their GP. 95% of outpatients and 90% of admitted patients are treated within this time. In many cases we can guarantee treatment sooner.
The 18 week period normally begins either when your letter of referral for treatment arrives at one of our hospitals or you book your first appointment through ‘Choose and Book’. (The exception to this is where you have already been seen by another consultant surgeon or physician elsewhere and referred on to one of our hospitals for further assessment and treatment.) You may be offered treatment straight away or referred for further tests.
Your treatment may include any of the following:
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advice on your condition
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medication or a change of medication
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starting a course of treatment that may require several visits to hospital
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an admission to hospital for an operation
There may be still times when your treatment cannot start straight away:
But we will still ensure that you are treated promptly.
Please make sure you attend your appointments – or let us know as soon as possible if you need to change the date of an appointment. If you do not keep your appointments, we will normally discharge you back to your GP, who may make a new referral for you if appropriate.
If you have any comments on the care and treatment that you receive, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service.
