NHS Ophthalmology (Eye Care) Referral Waiting Times in Westcliff-on-sea

Mid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an ophthalmologist is

14 weeks

That's just over 3 months

The NHS Ophthalmology (Eye Care) waiting list at Mid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust currently has 13,709 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 14 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Ophthalmology (Eye Care) patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 512 have been waiting over a year. Mid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital are about 1.2 week shorter than in February 2025. It's slipped down 25 places in the national league for this department's; now 270 out of 298 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
14weeks
▼ -1.2 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +1.9 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
14k
▲ +532
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
512
▲ +65
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
13,709
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
45 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
512 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
1,865 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:

510waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
2waiting 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.

▼ -1.2 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 an ophthalmologist is about 9 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 270th out of 298 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 38th out of 41 in East of England

What does Ophthalmology (Eye Care) cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Cataract surgery
Glaucoma treatment
Macular degeneration
Diabetic eye screening
Squint correction
Tear duct problems
Eyelid surgery
Laser eye treatment
Retinal detachment

Hospital contact

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

Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-sea, SS0 0RY
01702 435555
NHS Mid And South Essex Integrated Care Board

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

No reviews yet. Be the first to leave one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Ophthalmology (Eye Care) waiting list at Mid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust?

Mid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 13,709 patients on its Ophthalmology (Eye Care) waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 14 weeks.

Does Mid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Ophthalmology (Eye Care)?

About 58% of Ophthalmology (Eye Care) patients at Mid And South 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 Ophthalmology (Eye Care) 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 Ophthalmology (Eye Care) 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.