NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics Referral Waiting Times in Darlington

County Durham And Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Updated June 2026

The typical wait to see an orthopaedic consultant is

9 weeks

That's 2 months

The NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at County Durham And Darlington NHS Foundation Trust currently has 10,577 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 9 weeks from GP referral. About 7 in 10 Trauma & Orthopaedics patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 108 have been waiting over a year. County Durham And Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the North East and Yorkshire region. Waits at this hospital are about 2.6 weeks longer than in June 2025. It's slipped down 43 places in the national league for this department's; now 66 out of 307 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Jun 25Jun 26
Typical wait
9weeks
▲ +2.6 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
7in 10
▼ -10.5 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
11k
▲ +2.3k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
108
▲ +68
Been on the list for 12+ months
7 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
10,577
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
33 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
108 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
2,092 people
waiting for a surgery date
Already been told they need an operation

Wait time over time

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

▲ +2.6 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 an orthopaedic consultant is about 13 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 66th out of 307 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 7th out of 41 in North East and Yorkshire

What does Trauma & Orthopaedics cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Hip replacement
Knee replacement
Shoulder surgery
Carpal tunnel release
Arthroscopy (keyhole joint surgery)
Fracture treatment
ACL reconstruction
Spinal injections
Bunion surgery
Trigger finger release

Hospital contact

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

Darlington Memorial Hospital, Darlington, DL3 6HX
01325 380100
NHS North East And North 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at County Durham And Darlington NHS Foundation Trust?

County Durham And Darlington NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 10,577 patients on its Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 9 weeks.

Does County Durham And Darlington NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Trauma & Orthopaedics?

About 74% of Trauma & Orthopaedics patients at County Durham And Darlington 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics 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.