Cutting waiting times

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 states that no one should wait more than 18 weeks for consultant-led NHS treatment. This means that your treatment should start no more than 18 weeks from the day that your GP refers you, unless you choose to wait longer or there's a good medical reason for delay.

As a result, hospital waiting times are now the shortest since NHS records began. Being treated within 18 weeks of GP referral is a significant achievement considering that people often waited 18 months or more for an operation during the 1990s.

18 Weeks - how it works

The 18-week waiting time clock starts from the moment the hospital receives your referral from your GP, you book your first appointment, or as soon as you have booked an appointment through the Choose and Book system. 

Booking your hospital appointment through Choose and Book will not let you jump the queue, but it enables you to book your first hospital appointment while you're still at the GP surgery.

The clock stops when you start your treatment. This might mean being admitted to hospital for an operation or treatment, but it could mean starting treatment that doesn’t require you to stay in hospital (such as physiotherapy), or being fitted with a medical device, such as a leg brace. It could also mean starting an agreed period of time to monitor your condition to see whether you need further treatment.