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General medicine waiting times in the UK

Official NHS waiting times for general medicine at every hospital in England, and how Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compare. Figures from July 2026, checked daily.

England · median wait so far10 wkGeneral Internal Medicine
Within 18 weeks (target 92%)71.6%35,308 people waiting
On the NHSFreewith a GP referral
Paying privatelyAsk for a quoteprices aren't published
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Shortest NHS waits in England for general Internal Medicine

The 15 hospitals with the shortest median wait, out of 78 hospitals treating NHS patients. Private hospitals here treat NHS patients for free on a GP referral. Figures are for each NHS trust or provider as a whole.

Hospital / trustTypeRegionMedian wait so farWithin 18 weeksWaiting
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation TrustNHSSouth West1 wk100%31
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustNHSYorkshire and The Humber1 wk100%93
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS TrustNHSEast Midlands1 wk98.3%181
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, NHS Foundation TrustNHSEast of England2 wk96%253
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS TrustNHSWest Midlands2 wk100%22
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation TrustNHSNorth West2 wk100%53
North West Anglia NHS Foundation TrustNHSEast Midlands2 wk92.6%27
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustNHSSouth East3 wk95%60
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation TrustNHSWest Midlands3 wk98.1%52
East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS TrustNHSEast of England3 wk98%50
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation TrustNHSNorth West3 wk93.8%32
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNHSEast of England4 wk96.8%1,050
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation TrustNHSNorth West4 wk93.3%60
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS TrustNHSWest Midlands4 wk94.5%490
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNHSNorth East4 wk94.2%155

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Each nation publishes its own figures, measured differently, so they're shown separately (specialty: general medicine).

Scotland

Half of the 99 people waiting for treatment had waited 42 days or less so far; 90% had waited less than 210 days (month ending 31 August 2026). Shortest by NHS board: NHS Ayrshire and Arran (—), NHS Dumfries and Galloway (—), NHS Grampian (—).

Wales

8,382 patient pathways waiting; 29.7% for 26 weeks or more and 8.4% for over a year (July 2026). Wales doesn't publish a median wait.

Northern Ireland

103 people waiting for treatment (quarter ending 30 June 2026). Median wait so far by trust: South Eastern 59 wk, Belfast 66 wk (worked out from published week bands, so approximate).

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Common questions

How long is the NHS wait for general medicine?

In England, half of the 35,308 people currently waiting for general Internal Medicine treatment had been waiting 10 wks or less so far, and 71.6% within 18 weeks (July 2026; the NHS standard is 92%). It varies a lot by hospital: the shortest median above is 1 wk.

Can I choose a hospital with a shorter wait?

In England you have the legal right to choose where you're referred for most planned hospital treatment, including private hospitals that treat NHS patients, at no cost. Ask your GP, or see the NHS guide to choosing a hospital.

Sources: NHS England — Referral to Treatment waiting times (July 2026) · Public Health Scotland · Welsh Government (StatsWales) · Department of Health (NI). Private prices are FairWait estimates. All data sources.

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