While You WaitWhile You Wait NHS | For Those Awaiting Treatment

Supporting you while you wait for hospital treatment

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant some operations and procedures have been postponed, leading to understandable concern for those waiting. The NHS is working hard to get people seen as quickly as possible.

If you (or someone you care for) are waiting on delayed medical care, you are likely to have concerns and questions. This site aims to provide further information and advice, along with handy resources, to help you manage your physical and mental wellbeing while waiting for hospital care.

This website includes:

How to stay as fit and healthy as possible while you wait for your treatment
Where to find any extra support online
Where to find further information about approximate waiting times at different hospitals
What to do if your condition deteriorates

We will provide updates to ensure the latest information is available, so please do check back on a regular basis.

Waiting Times

Waiting times will depend on what treatment you are waiting for and your individual needs.

NHS hospitals and the independent (private) sector hospitals are working together to increase the number of people who can be treated daily. You still may have to wait longer than usual.

The list of people waiting changes daily and it is very hard to tell you how long you will have to wait. However, with our ‘find hospitals page’ you can look up approximate waiting times at your local hospital by:

Using the Find hospitals page
Clicking on ‘Surgical Procedures’ or ‘Department’
Filling in Procedures or Department box
Entering the postcode of the hospital you have been referred to or your own postcode in the Location box.

Find more information in the ‘your questions answered’ section on this website.

The Patient Experience Library also has a useful Waiting List Tracker that enables patients to get information on waiting times for treatment in NHS Trusts in England. The data you find here is sourced from NHS England.

Waiting for your hospital care - Your questions answered

Here are a list of questions that you might be asking if you are waiting for an appointment, operation, other procedure or tests at a hospital. This refers to non-urgent or routine hospital care. Urgent care for things like cancer are prioritised differently and are not included as part of this document.

These FAQs will be updated regularly to ensure they contain up to date information and contacts.

Last updated: 28/09/2021

How are patients prioritisted on the waiting lists?

Our consultants are looking at who has the greatest clinical need and who has waited the longest, and prioritising people against these two key criteria as each service gets back up and running. We want to ensure that this is done as fairly as possible to ensure that people are not disadvantaged.

When will I be seen?/ How long will I have to wait?

The length of time you have to wait will depend on your specific treatment and clinical needs. Hospitals in Greater Manchester as well as the independent hospitals (private sector) are all working together to treat people as quickly as possible and increase the number of people who can be treated daily We are treating people in the evenings and at weekends and asking some people to go to different hospitals so we treat people as quickly as possible.

If you could be treated quicker at a different hospital, your clinical team will discuss it with you and offer support to enable you to access the alternative site wherever possible. You can check the waiting times at your hospital.

How do I check waiting times at my hospital?

To find out approximate waiting times please use the Find hospitals page:

Using the Find hospitals page
Clicking on ‘Surgical Procedures’ or ‘Department’
Filling in Procedures or Department box

Entering the postcode of the hospital you have been referred to or your own postcode in the

Why can’t you tell me exactly how long I have to wait?

Waiting times and lists are recovering after Covid-19 but the lists are constantly changing so it can be very hard for your hospital consultant or your GP to say exactly when you will be seen.

What if my hospital appointment has come through but my condition is getting worse?

Please contact the hospital specialist secretary/booking team or contact PALS. The number and e-mail for this should be on the hospital appointment letter. If you are unable to reach the specialist secretary/booking team then please contact PALS. Find Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) services across Greater Manchester.

I have not received a hospital appointment and my condition has worsened, who do I contact?

If you have not heard from the hospital and your condition is getting worse, you need to contact your GP. Your GP surgery is still open and is able to provide care, so you shouldn’t put off getting any help you need.

I have new symptoms and I am concerned that they may not relate to my original condition, who do I contact?

You should contact your GP who can then assess, advise and help you manage your new condition.

Can my GP help me to be seen quicker?

No, your GP won’t be able to help you get seen any quicker as your GP does not have access to the hospital appointment or waiting list system.

Hospital appointments and waiting lists are looked after by each area of the hospital.

My GP referred me to the hospital a while ago but I’ve heard nothing. Who can I contact to find out what is happening?

People with the most urgent needs are being contacted first therefore it may take longer than normal for you to receive a letter/ appointment from the hospital. The hospital Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers. You can find PALS officers in your local hospital.

I’m on a waiting list but I don’t think I need the treatment any more.

It is also important that you contact your hospital if you think that you would like to be removed from the waiting list.

Where can I go for benefits advice if waiting has an impact on my ability to work?

PIP (personal independence payment) is a non-means tested benefit that helps people deal with some of the extra costs associated with long-term illness or disability. You’ll be assessed on things such as your ability to prepare food and drink, wash, dress, go to the toilet, manage health conditions and make financial decisions.

Further information can also be found here.

Where can I find out more information about my condition that might help me while I’m waiting?

This website provides many links to national and regional support and advice.

Waiting for treatment, surgery, or tests can be worrying and may also be making you feel anxious or low. It’s a good idea to talk about how you are feeling with a friend or family member. If you are really struggling to cope or feel things are getting on top of you have a chat with your GP or primary care team.

Am I able to choose to be transferred to a different hospital in Greater Manchester or elsewhere? If I choose this, what would it mean – will I have to queue again/at the beginning?

Yes. If you choose to be transferred to another hospital for the same condition, you will be reviewed by a senior clinician and are likely to wait a similar length of time as for your current hospital. Our consultants are looking at who has the greatest clinical need and who has waited the longest, and prioritising people against these two key criteria as each service gets back up and running.
The exception to this is where your hospital offer for you to have your appointment/procedure transferred to one of our Independent Sector (private) hospitals, when they believe that will be more appropriate and quicker for you.