NHS Plastic Surgery Referral Waiting Times in Bury St. Edmunds

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a plastic surgeon is

21 weeks

That's nearly 5 months

The NHS Plastic Surgery waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has 897 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 21 weeks from GP referral. About 4 in 10 Plastic Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 35 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 3.1 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 13 places in the national league for this department's; now 81 out of 93 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
21weeks
▼ -3.1 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
4in 10
▲ +4.7 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
897
▼ -250
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
35
▼ -94
Been on the list for 12+ months
4 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
897
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
35 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
531 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:

32waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
3waiting 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.

▼ -3.1 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 plastic surgeon is about 15 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 81st out of 93 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 10th out of 10 in East of England

What does Plastic Surgery cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Skin cancer removal and reconstruction
Breast reconstruction
Hand surgery
Scar revision
Burns treatment
Skin graft surgery
Dupuytren's contracture release
Prominent ear correction

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 Plastic Surgery waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust?

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 897 patients on its Plastic Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 21 weeks.

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

About 45% of Plastic Surgery 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 Plastic 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 Plastic 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.