NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Referral Waiting Times in Blackburn

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an ENT specialist is

7 weeks

That's nearly 2 months

The NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust currently has 3,887 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 7 weeks from GP referral. About 8 in 10 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 16 have been waiting over a year. East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the North West region. Waits at this hospital are about 6.1 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 35 places in the national league for this department's; now 23 out of 156 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
7.4weeks
▼ -6.1 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
8in 10
▲ +12.9 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
3.9k
▼ -2.5k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
16
▼ -94
Been on the list for 12+ months
8 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
3,887
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
35 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
16 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
821 people
waiting for a surgery date
Already been told they need an operation

Wait time over time

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

▼ -6.1 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 an ENT specialist is about 14 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 23rd out of 156 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 8th out of 28 in North West

What does Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy)
Grommets for glue ear
Hearing loss assessment
Sinus surgery
Nasal polyp removal
Sleep apnoea treatment
Deviated septum correction
Ear infections
Voice and swallowing problems

Hospital contact

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

Royal Blackburn Hospital, Blackburn, BB2 3HH
01282 425071
NHS Lancashire And South Cumbria 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust?

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust currently has about 3,887 patients on its Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 7 weeks.

Does East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)?

About 76% of Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) patients at East Lancashire Hospitals 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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.