NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Referral Waiting Times in Bury St. Edmunds

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an ENT specialist is

12 weeks

That's nearly 3 months

The NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has 2,746 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 12 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 108 have been waiting over a year. West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital are about 2.8 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 25 places in the national league for this department's; now 45 out of 156 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25→Feb 26
Typical wait
11.9weeks
▼ -2.8 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +7.4 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
2.7k
▼ -352
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
108
▼ -19
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
2,746
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
45 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
108 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
820 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:

107waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
1waiting 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.

▼ -2.8 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 ENT specialist is about 14 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 45th out of 156 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 6th out of 20 in East of England

What does Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy)
Grommets for glue ear
Hearing loss assessment
Sinus surgery
Nasal polyp removal
Sleep apnoea treatment
Deviated septum correction
Ear infections
Voice and swallowing problems

Hospital contact

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

West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds, IP33 2QZ
01284 713000
Visit website
NHS Suffolk And North East Essex Integrated Care Board

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust?

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 2,746 patients on its Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 12 weeks.

Does West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)?

About 65% of Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) patients at West Suffolk 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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.