NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics Referral Waiting Times in Harlow

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an orthopaedic consultant is

18 weeks

That's 4 months

The NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust currently has 5,288 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 18 weeks from GP referral. About 5 in 10 Trauma & Orthopaedics patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 225 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 6.9 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 47 places in the national league for this department's; now 255 out of 306 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
17.9weeks
▼ -6.9 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
▲ +14.9 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
5.3k
▼ -1.5k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
225
▼ -115
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
5,288
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
46 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
225 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
167 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:

214waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
9waiting 1.25 to 1.5 years (65 to 78 weeks)
2waiting over 1.5 years (78+ weeks)

Wait time over time

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

▼ -6.9 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 14 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 255th out of 306 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 26th 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 5,288 patients on its Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 18 weeks.

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

About 50% 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.