General Surgery Department Waiting Times in Canterbury

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Updated December 2025

The typical wait to see a general surgeon is

16 weeks

That's nearly 4 months

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the South East region. There are currently 8,958 people waiting to see a general surgeon, with a typical wait of about nearly 4 months. 54% of patients are seen within the 18-week target.

54 out of 100
patients are seen within 18 weeks
8,958
people on the waiting list
48 weeks
worst case wait time (92nd percentile)
453 people
have been waiting over a year
2,527 people
have been approved for treatment and are waiting for a date (28% of the list)

Long waiter breakdown

Of those waiting over a year, here's how long they've been waiting:

446waiting 1–1.25 years (52–65 weeks)
7waiting 1.25–1.5 years (65–78 weeks)

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 211th out of 267 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 40th out of 50 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.

Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, CT1 3NG
01227 766877
NHS Kent And Medway Integrated Care Board

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the General Surgery waiting time at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust?

The current average General Surgery waiting time at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is about 16 weeks.

How does East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust compare to other hospitals for General Surgery?

You can compare General Surgery waiting times across all NHS hospitals on WaitRadar to find shorter waits near you.

Can I choose which hospital I'm referred to?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England have the right to choose which hospital they are referred to for a first outpatient appointment. Discuss your options with your GP.

This is informational data, not medical advice. Always discuss referral options with your GP. Full disclaimer.