Waiting for treatment on the NHS can be an anxious experience, especially when you’re unsure about where you stand on the waiting list. How do I find out where I am on NHS waiting list? With over 7.7 million people currently awaiting various forms of treatment, having clarity on your position is essential for peace of mind and proper care planning. Fortunately, there are digital tools, patient rights, and regional systems in place that can help you track, manage, and even potentially shorten your wait time.
This guide explores all the ways you can find out where you are on the NHS waiting list, with a focus on practical steps, patient rights, and expert-backed advice.
What Tools Can Show My NHS Waiting List Position?
How can the NHS app help me see my waiting time?
The NHS App is a secure, user-friendly platform provided by NHS Digital. It allows patients in England aged 16 and over to access their health records, manage appointments, order prescriptions, and most importantly, check their position on the waiting list. The NHS App integrates data from the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) and My Planned Care platform. Here’s what you can do:
- View Your Referral Date: Once your GP refers you to a specialist, the referral will appear in the app with the date it was made.
- Check Estimated Treatment Time: Based on data from the trust handling your case, the app provides an average wait time for your procedure or consultation. These are updated weekly.
- Track Appointments: You’ll be notified of appointment bookings, changes, or cancellations.
- Self-Manage Care: Some hospitals allow you to manage appointments directly through the app.
By using the NHS App, you avoid delays and unnecessary calls. It’s a central, reliable source of your waiting list data.
What does the my planned care website offer?
My Planned Care is a publicly accessible online platform launched by NHS England. It’s designed to help patients awaiting elective procedures understand waiting times and prepare for treatment.
Features include:
- Search by Hospital or Postcode: Patients can view average waiting times specific to their provider.
- Specialty-Specific Data: Filter by treatment area such as orthopaedics, ENT, cardiology, and more.
- Weekly Updates: Every 7 days, waiting time data is updated to reflect current pressures.
- Support Information: Provides advice on what to do while you wait, such as managing symptoms and staying healthy.
This site empowers patients with transparency and encourages shared decision-making with healthcare providers.
Can I use alternative apps or regional tools?
Yes, apart from the NHS App and My Planned Care, several regional solutions are in place:
- Northern Ireland: The My Waiting Times NI tool helps citizens in Northern Ireland track their position in the queue.
- Scotland: Many health boards use systems like DrDoctor, which send SMS surveys asking patients to confirm they still require treatment. This helps keep waiting lists accurate.
- Wales: Health boards issue regular update letters or use online portals for outpatient monitoring.
These tools may not show your exact position but provide enough insight to estimate when you’ll be seen.
How Else Can I Find Out Where I Am on the Waiting List?
Should I contact my GP or hospital directly?
When digital tools fall short, direct communication is effective. Patients can:
- Phone the GP Practice or Hospital Booking Office: Request information on current waiting time estimates.
- Ask for the Booking Team: Hospitals often have dedicated staff managing referral and surgical waiting lists.
- Get Triage Info: If your referral was triaged as routine, urgent, or two-week wait (for cancer referrals), this influences your queue priority.
It’s important to be polite but assertive. Keep your NHS number handy for quicker service.
Is there a way to confirm I’m still on the waiting list?
With extended delays, some patients fear they’ve been lost in the system. To confirm your place:
- Check the NHS App or My Planned Care: These platforms often show active referrals.
- Reply to SMS Confirmations: Some trusts send messages like, “Do you still need your appointment?” Failing to reply can result in removal.
- Contact the Referral Management Centre: If your area has one, they manage referrals and validate waiting lists.
Make it a habit to update your phone number and email address with your GP and hospital.
Can I use customer service or the NHS helpline?
Yes, the NHS offers several support options:
- 111 or Local PALS Office: When it comes to complaints and issues, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service is helpful.
- Hospital Switchboard: You can be transferred to relevant departments.
- Referral Support Services (RSS): Waitlist concerns are handled by specialised RSS teams at some CCGs or ICSs.
Always document your calls and request a reference number if escalating an issue.
NHS Waiting List Statistics: What Do the Numbers Say?
How many people are on the NHS waiting list?
As of mid-2025, over 7.7 million people are on NHS waiting lists across the UK. This includes patients waiting for diagnostic tests, outpatient appointments, and elective surgeries. England accounts for the majority of these figures, followed by Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Which specialties have the longest waiting times?
The following areas have the most delays, according NHS data:
- Orthopaedics: Knee and hip replacements often have waits exceeding 40 weeks.
- Ophthalmology: Cataract surgeries remain heavily backlogged.
- ENT and Dermatology: Experience frequent cancellations and long delays.
What is the impact of delayed treatment?
Long waits can lead to:
- Worsening Health Conditions
- Reduced Mobility and Mental Health Strain
- Increased Emergency Admissions
Addressing wait times is crucial not just for patient well-being but for reducing NHS system pressure.
What Can I Do If My Waiting List Wait Seems too Long?
What Is NHS patient choice and how can it help?
Patients have the following options under NHS regulations:
- Which Hospital or Consultant: As long as they offer the required service and are NHS-funded.
- Alternative Hospitals with Shorter Waits: Using e-RS, GPs can rebook patients elsewhere.
- Private Hospitals Treating NHS Patients: Many NHS-funded surgeries are done in private settings with shorter lists.
Real Example: Dr Hilary Jones opted for Patient Choice and received surgery months earlier at a different hospital with available capacity.
How do hospital waiting times vary, and why?
Several factors affect waiting times:
- Staff Shortages: A lack of nurses or consultants delays clinics.
- Regional Demand: High-population areas experience more pressure.
- Service Backlogs: Post-COVID, many elective services are still recovering.
The NHS App and My Planned Care allow you to compare hospitals and choose based on capacity.
What are the NHS targets for waiting times?
To tackle delays, NHS England has outlined several targets:
- 92% Within 18 Weeks: For elective, consultant-led treatments.
- 28 Days: Time to diagnosis for suspected cancer referrals.
- 6 Weeks: For diagnostic tests like MRI or colonoscopy.
The goal is to meet these standards consistently by July 2029 through funding, digital systems, and workforce expansion.
How Do I Stay Informed While Waiting?
How can I track updates and manage my health while waiting?
Here’s how to stay proactive:
- Regularly Check Digital Tools: The NHS App and My Planned Care update weekly.
- Set Reminders for Communication: Check your SMS and email frequently.
- Notify of Changes: Update your address and phone number with both your GP and hospital.
What if my condition worsens—Can I escalate?
Escalation steps include:
- GP Reassessment: Your GP can upgrade your referral to ‘urgent’.
- Hospital Contact: Ask if a faster slot is available due to deterioration.
- PALS: Lodge a formal request for expedited review.
Document symptoms and note any changes clearly when speaking with healthcare staff.
How can I prepare for my appointment while waiting?
Proactive preparation includes:
- Improving Fitness: Aim for moderate exercise daily.
- Diet and Hydration: Nutrient-dense foods promote better recovery.
- Smoking Cessation: Increases surgery success rates and speeds healing.
My Planned Care provides checklists and recovery tips depending on your procedure type.
Summary Table – Waiting List Check Steps
| Step | What to Do | Tools/Involved |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Use NHS App or My Planned Care | NHS App / My Planned Care |
| 2 | Contact GP or hospital | Phone / Email |
| 3 | Respond to text confirmations | DrDoctor (Scotland) / SMS systems |
| 4 | Use Patient Choice | e-RS / GP Referral |
| 5 | Manage health while waiting | Health prep guides / Digital portals |
Conclusion
How do I find out where I am on NHS waiting list? Tracking your NHS waiting list status is now easier than ever. Use the NHS App, My Planned Care, or contact your GP for updates. Know your rights, explore faster options through Patient Choice, and act quickly if your condition worsens. Stay informed, stay prepared—your health can’t wait.
FAQs about How Do I Find Out Where I Am on NHS Waiting List?
How do I check NHS waiting list position if I don’t have internet access?
You can call your GP, hospital, or use the NHS helpline to request your status.
Can I see my exact place number?
No, NHS tools provide average wait times, not individual queue positions due to clinical prioritisation policies.
Is there a cost to choose a different hospital?
No. Patient Choice is a free NHS service allowing you to change provider within the NHS system.
What should I do if I don’t respond to waiting list texts?
You risk being removed. Always confirm when prompted or contact the trust if you miss the message.
Can I escalate if my wait is clinically risky?
Yes. Start with your GP and move to PALS or formal complaint routes if needed.
