NHS General Surgery Referral Waiting Times in Cambridge

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Updated June 2026

The typical wait to see a general surgeon is

17 weeks

That's 4 months

The NHS General Surgery waiting list at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has 1,519 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 17 weeks from GP referral. About 5 in 10 General Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 19 have been waiting over a year. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital haven't really changed since June 2025. It's slipped down 13 places in the national league for this department's; now 233 out of 266 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Jun 25Jun 26
Typical wait
17.2weeks
No change
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
No change
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
1.5k
▲ +142
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
19
▼ -15
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
1,519
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
41 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
19 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
483 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:

18waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
1waiting 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.

No change

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 12 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 233rd out of 266 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 30th out of 35 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.

Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
01223 245151
NHS Cambridgeshire And Peterborough 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 General Surgery waiting list at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 1,519 patients on its General Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 17 weeks.

Does Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for General Surgery?

About 52% of General Surgery patients at Cambridge University 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 General 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 General 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.