General Surgery Department Waiting Times in Luton

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Updated December 2025

The typical wait to see a general surgeon is

13 weeks

That's 3 months

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. There are currently 3,560 people waiting to see a general surgeon, with a typical wait of about 3 months. 61% of patients are seen within the 18-week target.

61 out of 100
patients are seen within 18 weeks
3,560
people on the waiting list
39 weeks
worst case wait time (92nd percentile)
16 people
have been waiting over a year
983 people
have been approved for treatment and are waiting for a date (28% of the list)

How long are people waiting?

Distribution of patients by how many weeks they've been on the waiting list.

How does this compare?

The national average wait to see a general surgeon is about 13 weeks. This hospital is about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 168th out of 267 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 20th out of 34 in East of England

What does General Surgery cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Hernia repair
Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)
Appendix removal
Bowel surgery
Thyroid surgery
Haemorrhoid treatment
Varicose vein surgery
Abscess drainage
Lipoma removal

Hospital contact

Main hospital switchboard — ask to be connected to the department.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the General Surgery waiting time at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

The current average General Surgery waiting time at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is about 13 weeks.

How does Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust compare to other hospitals for General Surgery?

You can compare General Surgery waiting times across all NHS hospitals on WaitRadar to find shorter waits near you.

Can I choose which hospital I'm referred to?

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.

This is informational data, not medical advice. Always discuss referral options with your GP. Full disclaimer.