The Minster Practice, Lichfield

NHS Hospital Waiting Times

Local waiting times

Many patients say that they expect to wait for hospital appointments but the wait is worsened by not knowing how long the wait is going to be.  Over the years we have therefore obtained this information on  a regular basis. In practice we found that the information was always only approximate but it was a rough guide. In the year 2000, despite official complaints, there was no information at all for our local hospitals between February and November. 2001 & 2002 were hardly better but 2003 seems to be an improvement.

The following information was provided by Lichfield Victoria Hospital reflecting the position for average routine waiting times in October 2004. Past experience suggests that these are only a rough guide to the actual waiting time.
Please note that the Victoria hospital does not take part in the NHS Cancer scheme. See the information on our site about the 2 week wait scheme for suspected cancers (click here). Referrals for these are faxed direct to District General Hospitals.

 Underneath each speciality heading below, each table gives the consultant name, subspecialty if appropriate, base hospital and waiting times. 

General Surgery

Victoria Hospital

We have been unable to obtain details of waiting times for operation other than day case surgery listed below. However, the Good Hope consultants have been told that if the patient lives in South Staffs Health Authority area the wait has to be 6 - 9 months. Theatre capacity is available and the consultants want to treat patients the same as Birmingham residents but the Health Authority will not provide the funds. Postcode rationing lives on!!

Orthopaedics

Victoria Hospital

Ear, Nose & Throat

Victoria Hospital

Cardiology

Victoria Hospital

General Medicine

Victoria Hospital

Paediatrics

Victoria Hospital

Urology

Victoria Hospital

Gynaecology

Victoria Hospital

Ophthalmology
We have been unable to obtain details of waiting times for operation. However, the Wolverhampton eye consultants tell us that their waiting times for surgery are 1 - 5 months UNLESS the patient lives in South Staffs Health Authority area. Such residents have to wait 9 - 12 months even though theatre capacity is available. Postcode rationing lives on!!

Victoria Hospital

Dermatology

Victoria Hospital

Rheumatology

Victoria Hospital

Haematology

Victoria Hospital

Respiratory/Chest Diseases

Victoria Hospital

Renal Physician

Victoria Hospital

Podiatry           Mr M Price @ Victoria    approx 35 weeks for podiatric surgery and 9 weeks for general podiatry

Physiotherapy Urgent , semi urgent x days, routine x weeks. Approx 13 wks for assessment

X-rays Chest & simple X-rays same day Mon-Fri , others 2-3 working days.
Ultrasound 2-3 weeks

Dietician @ Victoria 6 weeks

Day case surgery at Sir Robert Peel Hospital Tamworth

National Waiting Lists

Waiting Times (2003)
Official NHS statistics
November 2003: Waiting lists for inpatient treatment 958,900. Waiting more than 9 months 33,800 and more than 6 months 146,700. Only 72 were waiting more than 12 months compared to over 12,000 in November 2002. Government targets are currently: No patient should wait more than 9 months by April 2004 or more than 6 months by 2005.
August 2003: Waiting lists for inpatient treatment 984,000 - lowest level for 10 years (7,800 less than July). An increase to 52,000 waiting more than 9 months and a fall of 9000 in those waiting for less than 6 months suggest the waiting list total is falling  but individual waiting times are increasing.
July 2003: Waiting lists for inpatient treatment 992,000 (600 less than June). 49,000 waiting more than 9 months (1,300 less than June) but only 37 waiting more than 12 months, 11 more than 15 months.
May 2003: Waiting lists for inpatient treatment 1,003,000 (1,700 more than April but 52,000 lower than May 2002)
April 2003: 1,001,300 awaiting operation (9,300 more than March 2003, but 44,900 lower than April 2002). Only 134  on the waiting list for more than 12 months (the Government maximum waiting time)

Waiting Times (July to September 2000)
Total number waiting in England for inpatient treatment 1,031,800 (1.5% less than previous quarter).
Total of these resident in England and waiting for over 12 months 50,300 (0.9% less than previous quarter).

The figures for outpatients are as follows:
Of those seen by a consultant during this quarter, 76% had waited less than 13 weeks, 18% 13-26 weeks and 6% over 26 weeks.
Of those still waiting to be seen, 310,000 had been waiting for 13-26 weeks and 126,000 had been waiting for over 26 weeks.

Queen's Hospital Burton-upon-Trent

Waiting times are available via a button on the hospital's website. Dr Causer is assisting with the improved presentation of the information. However, it will still have the problem that even if accurate on the date first displayed the waiting time varies markedly as referral patterns change.
www.burtonhospital.com Click on "GP section" to get to outpatient waiting times. Note that they tend to be out of date (in January 2006, the waiting times for October 2005 are displayed).
(Please note that the hospital site is within the www.nhs.uk network so some links like "Home" may take you to the NHS homepage)

Send mail to webmaster @minster.org.uk with questions or comments about our website. N.B. Website is for practice patients ONLY.
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Homepage last modified: August 25, 2008.