Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Waiting Times

The NHS waiting list at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has 79,577 patients waiting for treatment, with a typical wait of around 13 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS target is 9 in 10), and 525 have been waiting over a year.

NHS Foundation Trust East of England Updated April 2026

Across all departments, most patients wait about 13 weeks

That's roughly 3 months: 6 in 10 people are seen within 18 weeks. Waits at this hospital are about 2.9 weeks shorter than in April 2025.

12-month change

Then vs now at this hospital

Apr 25→Apr 26
Typical wait
13.1weeks
â–¼ -2.9 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
â–² +8.4 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
80k
â–¼ -21k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
525
â–¼ -2.2k
Been on the list for 12+ months

Hospital details

Address Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ
Phone 01582 491166
Integrated Care Board NHS Bedfordshire, Luton And Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board
Established 1992

Formerly known as

This trust was formed from or previously known as:

South Bedfordshire General Hospital & Maternity Services UnitBedford Hospital NHS Trust

Waiting time trend

Median wait across all departments at this hospital, month by month.

â–¼ -2.9 wks

Department waiting times

Cardiology

13 weeks
63% within 18 weeks

Dermatology

15 weeks
58% within 18 weeks

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

14 weeks
60% within 18 weeks

Geriatric Medicine

7 weeks
89% within 18 weeks

Gastroenterology

12 weeks
64% within 18 weeks

General Medicine

6 weeks
95% within 18 weeks

General Surgery

15 weeks
56% within 18 weeks

Gynaecology

11 weeks
67% within 18 weeks

Neurology

14 weeks
61% within 18 weeks

Ophthalmology (Eye Care)

10 weeks
73% within 18 weeks

Oral & Dental Surgery

20 weeks
45% within 18 weeks

Paediatrics

13 weeks
64% within 18 weeks

Plastic Surgery

15 weeks
55% within 18 weeks

Respiratory Medicine

11 weeks
70% within 18 weeks

Rheumatology

7 weeks
91% within 18 weeks

Trauma & Orthopaedics

21 weeks
43% within 18 weeks

Urology

12 weeks
66% within 18 weeks

Hospital sites at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust operates the following NHS hospital sites. Waiting list figures on this page cover the trust as a whole.

Bedford Hospital South Wing Harpenden Memorial Hospital Luton & Dunstable Hospital

What patients are saying

Real experiences shared by people who used this hospital.

No reviews yet. Be the first to leave one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS waiting list at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 79,577 patients on its NHS waiting list. The typical wait across all departments is around 13 weeks from GP referral, though this varies significantly by specialty.

Does Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target?

About 6 in 10 patients at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are currently seen within the 18-week referral-to-treatment target. The NHS constitutional standard is 9 in 10 (92%).

How do I contact Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust can be contacted via their main switchboard on 01582 491166. Ask to be connected to the relevant department or clinic.

Can I choose to be referred to this hospital?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England have the right to choose which hospital they are referred to for a first outpatient appointment. Discuss your options with your GP before accepting a referral.

Source: NHS England RTT statistics. about our methodology