NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics Referral Waiting Times in Harlow

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see an orthopaedic consultant is

15 weeks

That's 3½ months

The NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust currently has 5,337 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 15 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Trauma & Orthopaedics patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 38 have been waiting over a year. The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital are about 7.6 weeks shorter than in April 2025. It's moved up 76 places in the national league for this department's; now 216 out of 306 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
14.9weeks
▼ -7.6 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +13.2 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
5.3k
▼ -569
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
38
▼ -349
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
5,337
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
42 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
38 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
139 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:

33waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
2waiting 1.25 to 1.5 years (65 to 78 weeks)
3waiting over 1.5 years (78+ weeks)

Wait time over time

Median wait for this department, with the national average as a dashed line.

▼ -7.6 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 orthopaedic consultant is about 13 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 216th out of 306 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 20th out of 37 in East of England

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.

Hamstel Road, Harlow, CM20 1QX
01279 444455
NHS Hertfordshire And West Essex 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 The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust?

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust currently has about 5,337 patients on its Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 15 weeks.

Does The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Trauma & Orthopaedics?

About 55% of Trauma & Orthopaedics patients at The Princess Alexandra Hospital 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 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.