NHS Respiratory Medicine Referral Waiting Times in Macclesfield

East Cheshire NHS Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a respiratory consultant is

17 weeks

That's nearly 4 months

The NHS Respiratory Medicine waiting list at East Cheshire NHS Trust currently has 1,229 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 17 weeks from GP referral. About 5 in 10 Respiratory Medicine patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 75 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 1 week longer than in February 2025. It's slipped down 28 places in the national league for this department's; now 121 out of 125 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
16.6weeks
▲ +1 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
▼ -3.8 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
1.2k
▲ +513
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
75
▲ +67
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
1,229
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
50 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
75 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
2 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:

74waiting 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 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 respiratory consultant is about 10 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 121st out of 125 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 17th out of 17 in North West

What does Respiratory Medicine cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Asthma management
COPD treatment
Sleep apnoea assessment
Lung function tests (spirometry)
Pulmonary fibrosis
Persistent cough investigation
Breathlessness assessment
Pleural effusion drainage
Bronchoscopy

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 Respiratory Medicine waiting list at East Cheshire NHS Trust?

East Cheshire NHS Trust currently has about 1,229 patients on its Respiratory Medicine waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 17 weeks.

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

About 53% of Respiratory Medicine 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 Respiratory Medicine 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 Respiratory Medicine 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.