NHS Cardiothoracic Surgery Referral Waiting Times in Liverpool

Liverpool Heart And Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a cardiothoracic surgeon is

13 weeks

That's 3 months

The NHS Cardiothoracic Surgery waiting list at Liverpool Heart And Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has 832 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 13 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Cardiothoracic Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 18 have been waiting over a year. Liverpool Heart And Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the North West region. Waits at this hospital are about 1.8 weeks shorter than in April 2025. It's moved up 2 places in the national league for this department's; now 26 out of 32 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
13.1weeks
▼ -1.8 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +4.1 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
832
▼ -23
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
18
▼ -17
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
832
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
43 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
18 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
418 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:

17waiting 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.

▼ -1.8 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 cardiothoracic surgeon is about 11 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 26th out of 32 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 3rd out of 5 in North West

What does Cardiothoracic Surgery cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Coronary artery bypass (CABG)
Heart valve replacement or repair
Lung cancer surgery
Aortic aneurysm repair
Chest wall deformity correction
Pacemaker insertion
Thoracoscopy (keyhole chest surgery)

Hospital contact

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

Thomas Drive, Liverpool, L14 3PE
0151 600 1616
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 Cardiothoracic Surgery waiting list at Liverpool Heart And Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?

Liverpool Heart And Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 832 patients on its Cardiothoracic Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 13 weeks.

Does Liverpool Heart And Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Cardiothoracic Surgery?

About 61% of Cardiothoracic Surgery patients at Liverpool Heart And Chest Hospital 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 Cardiothoracic Surgery 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 Cardiothoracic Surgery 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.