NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics Referral Waiting Times in Bury St. Edmunds

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an orthopaedic consultant is

18 weeks

That's just over 4 months

The NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has 4,046 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 18 weeks from GP referral. About 5 in 10 Trauma & Orthopaedics patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 97 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 1.5 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 17 places in the national league for this department's; now 257 out of 306 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
18weeks
▼ -1.5 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
▲ +3.5 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
4k
▼ -191
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
97
▼ -106
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
4,046
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
43 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
97 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
1,449 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:

91waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
6waiting 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.

▼ -1.5 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 orthopaedic consultant is about 14 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 257th out of 306 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 27th out of 37 in East of England

What does Trauma & Orthopaedics cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Hip replacement
Knee replacement
Shoulder surgery
Carpal tunnel release
Arthroscopy (keyhole joint surgery)
Fracture treatment
ACL reconstruction
Spinal injections
Bunion surgery
Trigger finger release

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 Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust?

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 4,046 patients on its Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 18 weeks.

Does West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Trauma & Orthopaedics?

About 50% of Trauma & Orthopaedics 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics 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.