NHS Gastroenterology Referral Waiting Times in Canterbury

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a gastroenterologist is

23 weeks

That's just over 5 months

The NHS Gastroenterology waiting list at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust currently has 2,807 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 23 weeks from GP referral. About 3 in 10 Gastroenterology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 127 have been waiting over a year. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the South East region. Waits at this hospital are about 1.2 week longer than in February 2025. It's slipped down 2 places in the national league for this department's; now 188 out of 191 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
22.6weeks
▲ +1.2 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
3in 10
▼ -10 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
2.8k
▼ -3.3k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
127
▼ -130
Been on the list for 12+ months
3 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
2,807
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
46 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
127 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
9 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:

114waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
11waiting 1.25 to 1.5 years (65 to 78 weeks)
2waiting over 1.5 years (78+ weeks)

Wait time over time

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

▲ +1.2 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 188th out of 191 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 31st out of 31 in South East

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.

Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, CT1 3NG
01227 766877
NHS Kent And Medway 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 Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust?

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 2,807 patients on its Gastroenterology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 23 weeks.

Does East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Gastroenterology?

About 33% of Gastroenterology patients at East Kent Hospitals University 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 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.