Waits for hospital care

Details of average waiting times for first outpatient appointments and for treatment can be found here: https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/

Hospital 'expedite letters'

Millions of outpatient appointments and treatments have been delayed in NHS hospitals. When patients contact the hospital, they are sometimes told to ask their GP for an ‘expedite letter’. This is frustrating for you and for us, and rarely results in your appointment being brought forward. Hospital secretaries have been instructed by their Trust not to do this.

If your gallbladder or arthritis pain is worse, if your mobility has reduced, or your tinnitus increased, this is not something a GP can measure. We take your word for it, and the hospital should too. Only the hospital can compare your needs with those of other patients on their waiting list.

If your wait for an appointment or treatment is at one of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s hospitals, and you need to report a change in your condition, please telephone your specialist’s ‘hub’ found by clicking here: https://www.ulh.nhs.uk/patients/outpatients/ive-been-referred-to-ulht-for-an-outpatient-appointment-what-happens-next/contacting-your-outpatient-appointment-booking-team/

In the event of a change in a potentially life-threatening health condition – for example, a known cancer, or heart or lung symptoms – please contact 999 or 111 in the first instance.