NHS Cardiothoracic Surgery Referral Waiting Times in Blackpool

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a cardiothoracic surgeon is

21 weeks

That's nearly 5 months

The NHS Cardiothoracic Surgery waiting list at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has 862 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 21 weeks from GP referral. About 4 in 10 Cardiothoracic Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 82 have been waiting over a year. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the North West region. Waits at this hospital are about 8.2 weeks longer than in February 2025. It's slipped down 7 places in the national league for this department's; now 31 out of 31 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
20.9weeks
▲ +8.2 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
4in 10
▼ -18.4 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
862
▲ +238
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
82
▲ +58
Been on the list for 12+ months
4 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
862
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
55 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
82 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
232 people
waiting for a surgery date
Already been told they need an operation

Long waiter breakdown

Of those waiting over a year, here's how long they've been waiting:

67waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
15waiting 1.25 to 1.5 years (65 to 78 weeks)

Wait time over time

Median wait for this department, with the national average as a dashed line.

▲ +8.2 wks

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 cardiothoracic surgeon is about 10 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 31st out of 31 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 5th out of 5 in North West

What does Cardiothoracic Surgery cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Coronary artery bypass (CABG)
Heart valve replacement or repair
Lung cancer surgery
Aortic aneurysm repair
Chest wall deformity correction
Pacemaker insertion
Thoracoscopy (keyhole chest surgery)

Hospital contact

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

Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, FY3 8NR
01253 300000
NHS Lancashire And South Cumbria Integrated Care Board

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Cardiothoracic Surgery waiting list at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 862 patients on its Cardiothoracic Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 21 weeks.

Does Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Cardiothoracic Surgery?

About 43% of Cardiothoracic Surgery patients at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are currently seen within 18 weeks of GP referral. The NHS constitutional target is 92%.

Can I choose a different hospital if the Cardiothoracic Surgery wait is too long?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England can ask their GP to refer them to any hospital that provides NHS care. Use WaitRadar to compare Cardiothoracic Surgery waiting times at other NHS hospitals near you before accepting a referral.

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