NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics Referral Waiting Times in Cheltenham

Nuffield Health, Cheltenham Hospital

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see an orthopaedic consultant is

30 weeks

That's 7 months

The NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at Nuffield Health, Cheltenham Hospital currently has 45 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 30 weeks from GP referral. About 4 in 10 Trauma & Orthopaedics patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 5 have been waiting over a year. Nuffield Health, Cheltenham Hospital is an Independent Sector provider in the South West region.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
30.5weeks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
4in 10
▼ -9.3 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
45
▲ +28
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
5
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
4 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
45
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
63 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
5 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months

Long waiter breakdown

Of those waiting over a year, here's how long they've been waiting:

3waiting 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.

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 13 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 304th out of 306 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 39th out of 39 in South 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.

Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 6SY
NHS Gloucestershire 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 Nuffield Health, Cheltenham Hospital?

Nuffield Health, Cheltenham Hospital currently has about 45 patients on its Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 30 weeks.

Does Nuffield Health, Cheltenham Hospital meet the NHS 18-week target for Trauma & Orthopaedics?

About 38% of Trauma & Orthopaedics patients at Nuffield Health, Cheltenham Hospital 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.