NHS Gastroenterology Referral Waiting Times in Bury St. Edmunds

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a gastroenterologist is

11 weeks

That's 2½ months

The NHS Gastroenterology waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has 903 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 11 weeks from GP referral. About 7 in 10 Gastroenterology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 5 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 April 2025. It's moved up 24 places in the national league for this department's; now 120 out of 188 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
11weeks
▼ -2.8 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
7in 10
▲ +12 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
903
▼ -139
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
5
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
7 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
903
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
35 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
5 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months

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 a gastroenterologist is about 10 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 120th out of 188 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 9th out of 20 in East of England

What does Gastroenterology cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Endoscopy and colonoscopy
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Crohn's disease
Ulcerative colitis
Coeliac disease
Acid reflux (GORD)
Liver disease
Gallstone investigation
Barrett's oesophagus monitoring
Bowel polyp surveillance

Hospital contact

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

West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds, IP33 2QZ
01284 713000
NHS Suffolk And North East 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 Gastroenterology waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust?

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 903 patients on its Gastroenterology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 11 weeks.

Does West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Gastroenterology?

About 71% of Gastroenterology 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 Gastroenterology 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 Gastroenterology 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.