NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics Referral Waiting Times in Reading

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Updated June 2026

The typical wait to see an orthopaedic consultant is

9 weeks

That's 2 months

The NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust currently has 2,072 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 9 weeks from GP referral. About 9 in 10 Trauma & Orthopaedics patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 2 have been waiting over a year. Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the South East region. Waits at this hospital haven't really changed since June 2025. It's moved up 14 places in the national league for this department's; now 68 out of 307 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Jun 25Jun 26
Typical wait
9.1weeks
No change
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
9in 10
▲ +1.6 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
2.1k
▼ -124
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
2
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
9 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
2,072
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
21 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
2 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
850 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:

1waiting 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.

No change

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 faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 68th out of 307 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 18th out of 62 in South East

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.

Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, RG1 5AN
0118 322 5111
NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire And Berkshire West 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 Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust?

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 2,072 patients on its Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 9 weeks.

Does Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Trauma & Orthopaedics?

About 87% of Trauma & Orthopaedics patients at Royal Berkshire 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.