NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Referral Waiting Times in Truro

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an ENT specialist is

10 weeks

That's just over 2 months

The NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust currently has 2,884 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 10 weeks from GP referral. About 7 in 10 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 2 have been waiting over a year. Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the South West region. Waits at this hospital are about 1 week longer than in February 2025. It's slipped down 4 places in the national league for this department's; now 34 out of 156 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
10.1weeks
▲ +1 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
7in 10
▼ -1.6 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
2.9k
▲ +143
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
2
▼ -18
Been on the list for 12+ months
7 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
2,884
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
33 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
541 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 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 ENT specialist is about 14 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 34th out of 156 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 1st out of 16 in South West

What does Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy)
Grommets for glue ear
Hearing loss assessment
Sinus surgery
Nasal polyp removal
Sleep apnoea treatment
Deviated septum correction
Ear infections
Voice and swallowing problems

Hospital contact

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

Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, TR1 3LJ
01872 250000
NHS Cornwall And The Isles Of Scilly 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust?

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust currently has about 2,884 patients on its Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 10 weeks.

Does Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)?

About 75% of Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) patients at Royal Cornwall Hospitals 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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.