NHS General Surgery Referral Waiting Times in Dartford

Dartford And Gravesham NHS Trust

Updated June 2026

The typical wait to see a general surgeon is

14 weeks

That's just over 3 months

The NHS General Surgery waiting list at Dartford And Gravesham NHS Trust currently has 7,264 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 14 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 General Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 402 have been waiting over a year. Dartford And Gravesham NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the South East region. Waits at this hospital are about 2.5 weeks shorter than in June 2025. It's moved up 29 places in the national league for this department's; now 197 out of 266 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Jun 25Jun 26
Typical wait
14.5weeks
▼ -2.5 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +5.5 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
7.3k
▼ -695
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
402
▼ -83
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
7,264
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
48 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
402 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
2,946 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:

398waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
4waiting 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.

▼ -2.5 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 general surgeon is about 12 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 197th out of 266 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 34th out of 45 in South East

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.

Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, DA2 8DA
01322 428100
NHS Kent And Medway Integrated Care Board

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

No reviews yet. Be the first to leave one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS General Surgery waiting list at Dartford And Gravesham NHS Trust?

Dartford And Gravesham NHS Trust currently has about 7,264 patients on its General Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 14 weeks.

Does Dartford And Gravesham NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for General Surgery?

About 57% of General Surgery patients at Dartford And Gravesham NHS 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.