NHS Cardiology Referral Waiting Times in Cambridge

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a cardiologist is

14 weeks

That's just over 3 months

The NHS Cardiology waiting list at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has 2,093 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 14 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Cardiology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 20 have been waiting over a year. Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital haven't really changed since February 2025. It's slipped down 8 places in the national league for this department's; now 93 out of 131 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25→Feb 26
Typical wait
14weeks
▼ -0.4 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +0.5 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
2.1k
▼ -37
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
20
▼ -20
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
2,093
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
39 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
20 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
1,014 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:

18waiting 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.

▼ -0.4 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 cardiologist is about 13 weeks. This hospital is about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 93rd out of 131 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 10th out of 16 in East of England

What does Cardiology cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Chest pain investigation
Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia)
Heart failure management
Angiogram and angioplasty
Echocardiogram
High blood pressure
Heart murmur assessment
Palpitations
Post-heart attack follow-up

Hospital contact

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

Papworth Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AY
01223 638000
Visit website
NHS Cambridgeshire And Peterborough Integrated Care Board

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Cardiology waiting list at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 2,093 patients on its Cardiology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 14 weeks.

Does Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Cardiology?

About 60% of Cardiology patients at Royal Papworth Hospital 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 Cardiology 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 Cardiology waiting times at other NHS hospitals near you before accepting a referral.

Source: NHS England RTT statistics. about our methodology

This is informational data, not medical advice. Always discuss referral options with your GP. Full disclaimer.