NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics Referral Waiting Times in Salford

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an orthopaedic consultant is

15 weeks

That's 3½ months

The NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust currently has 12,829 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 15 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Trauma & Orthopaedics patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 503 have been waiting over a year. Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the North West region. Waits at this hospital are about 2.3 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 47 places in the national league for this department's; now 196 out of 306 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
15.2weeks
▼ -2.3 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +4.1 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
13k
▼ -2k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
503
▲ +50
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
12,829
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
503 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
4,291 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:

495waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
8waiting 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.

▼ -2.3 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 an orthopaedic consultant is about 14 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 196th out of 306 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 24th out of 37 in North West

What does Trauma & Orthopaedics cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Hip replacement
Knee replacement
Shoulder surgery
Carpal tunnel release
Arthroscopy (keyhole joint surgery)
Fracture treatment
ACL reconstruction
Spinal injections
Bunion surgery
Trigger finger release

Hospital contact

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

Salford Royal, Salford, M6 8HD
0161 789 7373
NHS Greater Manchester 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust?

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 12,829 patients on its Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 15 weeks.

Does Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Trauma & Orthopaedics?

About 55% of Trauma & Orthopaedics patients at Northern Care Alliance 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics 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.