ESNEFT outpatient wait times
Once we receive your referral from your GP, it goes through a process called ‘triage’ where we look to see the best way forward for you.
The three options at this stage are:
- To send you for an appointment with a doctor/ nurse or other specialist for you
- To send you for more testing, such as X-ray, MRI scan or other testing
- To send advice and guidance to your GP and allow them to lead your care
For an appointment or testing, you will be contacted as soon as possible to offer you an appointment for the soonest time available. You will receive a confirmation letter of your appointment, which will tell you the day, date and time of the appointment. You may be asked to attend hospital for a face-to-face appointment or a virtual clinic, either over the telephone or using video calling technology such as Zoom.
We have a more detailed waiting time guide (as below) for the different departments, which is slightly different dependent on which hospital you need to visit or speak to.
Your specific waiting time will depend on your personal circumstances, your health, and the department that you need to see.
View the ESNEFT estimated outpatient wait times
Waiting times April 2025 – ESNEFT Document library
Help us to improve your experience while waiting for your care
Here at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, we are working with Healthwatch Suffolk to find out about your experiences while waiting for an operation and how it is affecting your day to day life.
If you or your loved ones are currently waiting for an operation, please take a few moments to complete the anonymous survey. Share your experiences of waiting for elective care survey (Opens in a new window)
Healthwatch Suffolk offers help and support to take part. This includes British Sign Language support. Call 0800 448 8234 for free or use the online contact form. Alternative survey formats such as easy read, hard copy and translated formats are available on the Healthwatch website.
Visit the Healthwatch website to request alternative survey formats (Opens in a new window)
While you are waiting for an appointment at ESNEFT
For advice and practical support to help you and those you care for stay well while waiting for treatment, visit:
- Suffolk and North East Essex Wellbeing Support Services (Opens in a new window)
- Going into hospital – Essex County Council (Opens in a new window)
- Adult social care and health – Essex County Council (Opens in a new window)
- Livewell videos (Opens in a new window)
- Want to stop smoking? Livewell article (Opens in a new window)
What to do if your symptoms get worse
If your symptoms get worse while you are waiting for your appointment, test or operation, you should seek advice from your GP or NHS 111 (Opens in a new window).
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