NHS General Medicine Referral Waiting Times in Colchester

East Suffolk And North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a consultant is

15 weeks

That's 3½ months

The NHS General Medicine waiting list at East Suffolk And North Essex NHS Foundation Trust currently has 700 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 15 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 General Medicine patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 1 have been waiting over a year. East Suffolk And North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital are about 4.3 weeks longer than in February 2025. It's slipped down 25 places in the national league for this department's; now 71 out of 81 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
14.9weeks
▲ +4.3 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▼ -25 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
700
▲ +336
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
1
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
700
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
37 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
1 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
55 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.

▲ +4.3 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 consultant is about 9 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 71st out of 81 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 9th out of 11 in East of England

What does General Medicine cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Complex diagnostic investigations
Chronic disease management
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue investigation
Fever of unknown origin
Anaemia workup
Diabetes management
Hypertension review

Hospital contact

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

Colchester Dist General Hospital, Colchester, CO4 5JL
01206 747474
NHS Suffolk And North East Essex 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 General Medicine waiting list at East Suffolk And North Essex NHS Foundation Trust?

East Suffolk And North Essex NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 700 patients on its General Medicine waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 15 weeks.

Does East Suffolk And North Essex NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for General Medicine?

About 58% of General Medicine patients at East Suffolk And North Essex 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 General 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 General 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.