NHS General Surgery Referral Waiting Times in Bristol

University Hospitals Bristol And Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a general surgeon is

6 weeks

That's just over 1 month

The NHS General Surgery waiting list at University Hospitals Bristol And Weston NHS Foundation Trust currently has 108 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 6 weeks from GP referral. About 8 in 10 General Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). University Hospitals Bristol And Weston NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the South West region. Waits at this hospital are about 4.2 weeks longer than in April 2025. It's slipped down 16 places in the national league for this department's; now 17 out of 267 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
6weeks
▲ +4.2 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
8in 10
▲ +1.9 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
108
▲ +81
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
0
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
8 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
108
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
24 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
30 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.

▲ +4.2 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 general surgeon is about 12 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 17th out of 267 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 5th out of 30 in South West

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.

Trust Headquarters, Bristol, BS1 3NU
0117 923 0000
NHS Bristol, North Somerset And South Gloucestershire 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 General Surgery waiting list at University Hospitals Bristol And Weston NHS Foundation Trust?

University Hospitals Bristol And Weston NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 108 patients on its General Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 6 weeks.

Does University Hospitals Bristol And Weston NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for General Surgery?

About 83% of General Surgery patients at University Hospitals Bristol And Weston 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 General Surgery 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 General Surgery 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.