NHS Gastroenterology Referral Waiting Times in Macclesfield

East Cheshire NHS Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a gastroenterologist is

19 weeks

That's 4½ months

The NHS Gastroenterology waiting list at East Cheshire NHS Trust currently has 1,843 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 19 weeks from GP referral. About 5 in 10 Gastroenterology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 83 have been waiting over a year. East Cheshire NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the North West region. Waits at this hospital are about 3.1 weeks longer than in April 2025. It's slipped down 15 places in the national league for this department's; now 183 out of 188 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
19.2weeks
▲ +3.1 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
▼ -4.2 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
1.8k
▲ +376
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
83
▲ +61
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
1,843
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
83 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
215 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:

79waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
3waiting 1.25 to 1.5 years (65 to 78 weeks)
1waiting over 1.5 years (78+ weeks)

Wait time over time

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

▲ +3.1 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 gastroenterologist is about 10 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 183rd out of 188 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 27th out of 29 in North West

What does Gastroenterology cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Endoscopy and colonoscopy
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Crohn's disease
Ulcerative colitis
Coeliac disease
Acid reflux (GORD)
Liver disease
Gallstone investigation
Barrett's oesophagus monitoring
Bowel polyp surveillance

Hospital contact

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

Macclesfield District Hospital, Macclesfield, SK10 3BL
01625 661449
NHS Cheshire And Merseyside 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 Gastroenterology waiting list at East Cheshire NHS Trust?

East Cheshire NHS Trust currently has about 1,843 patients on its Gastroenterology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 19 weeks.

Does East Cheshire NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Gastroenterology?

About 49% of Gastroenterology patients at East Cheshire 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 Gastroenterology 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 Gastroenterology 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.