General Surgery Department Waiting Times in Harlow

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Updated December 2025

The typical wait to see a general surgeon is

13 weeks

That's 3 months

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the East of England region. There are currently 3,598 people waiting to see a general surgeon, with a typical wait of about 3 months. 63% of patients are seen within the 18-week target.

63 out of 100
patients are seen within 18 weeks
3,598
people on the waiting list
43 weeks
worst case wait time (92nd percentile)
125 people
have been waiting over a year
284 people
have been approved for treatment and are waiting for a date (8% of the list)

Long waiter breakdown

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

123waiting 1–1.25 years (52–65 weeks)
2waiting 1.25–1.5 years (65–78 weeks)

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 13 weeks. This hospital is about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 174th out of 267 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 21st out of 34 in East of England

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.

Hamstel Road, Harlow, CM20 1QX
01279 444455
NHS Hertfordshire And West Essex Integrated Care Board

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the General Surgery waiting time at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust?

The current average General Surgery waiting time at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is about 13 weeks.

How does The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust compare to other hospitals for General Surgery?

You can compare General Surgery waiting times across all NHS hospitals on WaitRadar to find shorter waits near you.

Can I choose which hospital I'm referred to?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England have the right to choose which hospital they are referred to for a first outpatient appointment. Discuss your options with your GP.

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