Guide to waiting times
See : http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/Waitingtimes/Pages/Guide%20to%20waiting%20times.aspx
The NHS is making sure that you are seen as soon as possible, at a time that is convenient for you. To do this, the NHS Constitution gives you the right to access services within maximum waiting times, or for the NHS to take all reasonable steps to offer you a range of suitable alternative providers if this is not possible.
This right is a legal entitlement protected by law, and applies to the NHS in England. The maximum waiting times are described in the Handbook to the NHS Constitution (PDF, 1.17 mb).
The
NHS Operating Framework for 2011/12 (PDF, 744kb) makes it clear that patients’ rights to access services withing maximum waiting times under the NHS Constitution will continue.
What this means for patients
- You have the right to start your consultant-led treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral.
- You have the right to be seen by a specialist within a maximum of two weeks from GP referral for urgent referrals where cancer is suspected.
If this is not possible, the primary care trust (PCT) or strategic health authority (SHA) that commissions your treatment must investigate, offering you a range of suitable alternative providers that would be able to see or treat you more quickly than the original provider.
You will need to contact the provider you have been referred to, or your local PCT before alternatives can be investigated for you. Your PCT or SHA must take all reasonable steps to meet your request.
From referral to start of treatment
Your right to start treatment within 18 weeks from referral includes treatments where a consultant retains overall clinical responsibility for the service or team, or for your treatment. This means the consultant will not necessarily be present for each appointment, but will take overall responsibility for your care. The setting of your consultant-led treatment, for example whether hospital-based or in a community-based clinic, will not affect your right to treatment within 18 weeks.
When does the clock start?
If a GP, dentist, optician or other clinician refers you for hospital treatment, the clock starts when you book your first appointment, or when your referral letter is received by the hospital.
Booking your hospital appointment through
Choose and Book means your appointment can be booked while you’re still in the GP’s surgery, or later at a more convenient time if you would prefer to talk to your family or colleagues before making an appointment. You can book an appointment online or or by calling
The Appointments Line 0345 6088888 .
The clock is ticking
You will see a clinician at your chosen hospital or clinic. You may need the following:
- Tests, scans or other procedures to help ensure that your treatment is tailored appropriately to your condition.
- Medication or therapy to manage your symptoms until you start treatment.
- A referral to another consultant or department.
When does the clock stop?
The clock stops if no hospital treatment is necessary or when your treatment begins. This could include:
- Being admitted to hospital for an operation or treatment.
- Starting treatment, such as taking medication, that doesn’t require you to stay in hospital.
- Beginning your fitting of a medical device, such as leg braces.
- Agreeing to your condition being monitored for a time to see whether you need further treatment.
- Receiving advice from hospital staff to manage your condition.
If you want to delay your hospital admission, for example because of a planned holiday, the NHS may temporarily pause the clock.
Exceptions
The right will cease to apply where:
- You choose to wait longer.
- Delaying the start of your treatment is in your best clinical interests, for example where stopping smoking or losing weight is likely to improve the outcome of the treatment.
- It is clinically appropriate for your condition to be actively monitored in secondary care without clinical intervention or diagnostic procedures at that stage.
- You fail to attend appointments that you had chosen from a set of reasonable options, or
- The treatment is no longer necessary.
The following services are not covered by the right:
- Non-medical consultant-led mental health services, and
- Maternity services.
Choosing hospitals
Waiting times may vary between hospitals. You may decide you prefer a particular hospital. Your decision may depend on your GP or other referrer's recommendation, the urgency to start treatment, or whether a particular hospital specialises in a particular treatment. If you want to be seen sooner, take the following steps:
- Exercise your right to choose which hospital you are referred to by comparing hospitals across England on this website. You can also compare hospitals by the treatments that they offer. If you want to know how long the waiting time is on average in your area for a hip replacement, for example, select the operation from the A-Z list, then select Compare hospitals.
- Choose hospitals other than your local one if the waiting time is shorter elsewhere.
Further details on
your rights under the NHS Constitution can be found on the Department of Health's website.
