NHS General Surgery Referral Waiting Times in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a general surgeon is

11 weeks

That's 2½ months

The NHS General Surgery waiting list at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust currently has 5,487 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 11 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 General Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 157 have been waiting over a year. Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the South East region. Waits at this hospital are about 1.4 week shorter than in April 2025. It's moved up 46 places in the national league for this department's; now 118 out of 267 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
11.1weeks
▼ -1.4 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +3.9 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
5.5k
▲ +237
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
157
▼ -42
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
5,487
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
44 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
157 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
1,215 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.

▼ -1.4 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 general surgeon is about 12 weeks. This hospital is about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 118th out of 267 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 26th out of 46 in South East

What does General Surgery cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Hernia repair
Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)
Appendix removal
Bowel surgery
Thyroid surgery
Haemorrhoid treatment
Varicose vein surgery
Abscess drainage
Lipoma removal

Hospital contact

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

Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY
023 9228 6000
NHS Hampshire And Isle Of Wight 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 Surgery waiting list at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust?

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust currently has about 5,487 patients on its General Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 11 weeks.

Does Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for General Surgery?

About 65% of General Surgery patients at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS 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 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 General 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.