NHS General Medicine Referral Waiting Times in Bury St. Edmunds

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a consultant is

11 weeks

That's nearly 3 months

The NHS General Medicine waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has 565 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 11 weeks from GP referral. About 8 in 10 General Medicine patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 1 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 3.4 weeks shorter than in April 2025. It's moved up 10 places in the national league for this department's; now 64 out of 82 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
11.3weeks
▼ -3.4 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
8in 10
▲ +18.5 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
565
▼ -139
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
1
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
8 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
565
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
27 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
1 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
1 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.

▼ -3.4 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 consultant is about 9 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 64th out of 82 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 9th out of 13 in East of England

What does General Medicine cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Complex diagnostic investigations
Chronic disease management
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue investigation
Fever of unknown origin
Anaemia workup
Diabetes management
Hypertension review

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 General Medicine waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust?

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 565 patients on its General Medicine 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 General Medicine?

About 76% of General Medicine 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 General Medicine 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 Medicine 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.