NHS General Surgery Referral Waiting Times in Dorchester

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a general surgeon is

18 weeks

That's just over 4 months

The NHS General Surgery waiting list at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has 1,195 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 18 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). 23 have been waiting over a year. Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the South West region. Waits at this hospital are about 1.4 week shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 2 places in the national league for this department's; now 241 out of 269 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
18.5weeks
▼ -1.4 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
▲ +1.9 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
1.2k
▲ +119
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
23
▼ -14
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
1,195
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
42 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
23 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
461 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:

22waiting 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.

▼ -1.4 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 13 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 241st out of 269 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 30th out of 30 in South West

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.

Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, DT1 2JY
01305 251150
NHS Dorset 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 Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 1,195 patients on its General Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 18 weeks.

Does Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for General Surgery?

About 49% of General Surgery patients at Dorset County Hospital 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.