Search

Estimated outpatient wait times

 
Home > Your visit > Estimated 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.

 

What to do while you are waiting

For advice and practical support to help you and those you care for stay well while waiting for surgery, visit:

 

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 contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice.

 

Waiting times

Service/Procedures
Description
Colchester Hospital waiting time (weeks) for first appointment
Ipswich Hospital waiting time (weeks) for first appointment
General Surgery
Within general surgery, you could be having any of the below surgeries.
32 Weeks
91
Audiology
Ears and hearing
0
3.5 weeks
Breast surgery
Surgery for breast/ chest
N/A
1 week
Cardiology
Heart conditions and care
35 Weeks
18 weeks
Children’s Services
All services for children and their parents including paediatrics
17 weeks
13 weeks
Colorectal
Disorders of the rectum, anus and colon
0
86 weeks
Dermatology
Skin conditions
47 Weeks
16 weeks
Diabetes
Supporting patients who have diabetes, are pre-diabetic and associated conditions
N/A
0
Dietetics
Diet, health and nutrition
16 Weeks
No clinics
Ears, Nose and Throat
Ears, nose, throat
12 Weeks
60 weeks
Endocrine
The circulatory system
7 Weeks
0 weeks
Gastroenterology
The digestive system
70 Weeks
69 weeks
General Medicine (Lipids)
N/A
57 weeks
Gynaecology
Women’s reproductive health
0
11 weeks
Haematology
Blood disorders
0
6
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic
Liver, gall bladder, bile duct and pancreas
N/A
0
Nephrology
Kidneys
27 Weeks
17 weeks
Neurology
Nerves
24 Weeks
21 weeks
Occupational Therapy
N/A
4
Older Peoples Services
Services for older people, including medical, social and emotional needs
2 Weeks
6 weeks
Ophthalmology
Eyes
0
0
Oral Surgery
Surgery for the mouth and jaw
5 Weeks
18 weeks
Orthodontics
Teeth and jaw alignment
N/A
Booked as Requested
Orthoptics
Eyes and eye muscles
0
0
Orthotics
Medical devices such as braces and splints
0
0
Pain Management
N/A
Booked by Dept.
Physiology
Clinical Physiology
0
0
Neurophysiology
EEG 2 weeks, NCS 6 weeks, EMG 6 weeks
Respiratory Physiology
N/A
0
Physiotherapy
Treatment using physical, external methods such as heat treatment and exercise
4 Weeks
10
Plastics Surgery
Repair and reconstructing damaged tissue and skin
N/A
4.5
Rehabilitation
General rehabilitation
16 Weeks
N/A
Respiratory
Breathing and the respiratory organs
31 Weeks
10 weeks
Rheumatology
Pain and inflammation of joints and musculoskeletal system
6 Weeks
6 weeks
Speech and Language therapy
Speech and language therapy
5 Weeks
0
Spinal
Spinal issues
0
0
Stroke
0
TIA (stroke)
N/A
N/A
Trauma and Orthopaedic Lower Limb
Trauma and orthopaedic specialists for lower limbs (legs, knees, ankles, feet)
57 weeks
32 weeks
Trauma and Orthopaedic Upper Limb
Trauma and orthopaedic specialists for upper limbs (shoulders, arms, hands)
59 Weeks
24 weeks
Upper GI
Stomach and Intestines
0
87 weeks
Urology
Urinary tract systems and male reproductive organs
13 Weeks
60 weeks
Vascular
Vascular system (arteries, veins and lymphatic circulation)
53 Weeks
59 weeks
Medical Imaging
X-ray
4-6 weeks
0
CT scan
4-6 weeks
0
MRI scan
4-6 weeks
0
Ultra Sound
4-6 weeks
0

North East Essex Community Services

Service
Waiting time in weeks
Adult Physiotherapy MSK
16
Musculoskeletal Tier 2 Service
9
Musculoskeletal Spinal Service
3
Pain Management
13
Podiatry Routine
53
Podiatry Biomechanics
69
Podiatry Home Visits
32
Podiatry Nail Surgery
17
Podiatry Paediatrics
66
Podiatry Diabetes Service
47
Cardiology
12
Cardiology Echo
6
Dietetics
8
Dietetics Gastro
23
Lymphoedema
6
Respiratory Pulmonary Rehab
74
Respiratory Physiotherapy
78
Respiratory COPD
6
Respiratory Home Oxygen Service
42
Early Stroke Discharge
0
Speech and Language Adults
49
Paediatric Physiotherapy
10
Paediatric Occupational Therapy
22
Paediatric Speech & Language
47
Paediatric Continence
89
Back to top

Patient info

Translate »