GeraClinic / NHS waiting times / By region / South West / Ophthalmology Service
Ophthalmology Service Waiting Times in South West
In April 2026, the median NHS wait for ophthalmology service in the South West Commissioning Region was 9.0 weeks, with 75.2% of 58,121 patients seen within 18 weeks (official NHS England RTT data).
How long is the NHS wait for ophthalmology service in South West?
As of April 2026, the median NHS wait for ophthalmology service in the South West Commissioning Region was 9.0 weeks, with 75.2% of 58,121 patients seen within 18 weeks β 0.7 weeks shorter than the England median of 9.7 weeks. South West ranks 3rd of 7 NHS England regions for this specialty. Source: NHS England RTT (Commissioner), April 2026. Gera re-dates this monthly.
South West vs England β ophthalmology service (April 2026)
| Area | Patients waiting | Within 18 weeks | Median wait | Over 52 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South West (ophthalmology service) | 58,121 | 75.2% | 9.0 weeks | 234 |
| England (all regions, ophthalmology service) | 612,588 | 73.1% | 9.7 weeks | 4,560 |
| Shortest wait region β North East and Yorkshire | β | β | 8.5 weeks | β |
The South West median for ophthalmology service (9.0 weeks) is 0.7 weeks shorter than the England median (9.7 weeks). South West ranks 3rd of 7 NHS England regions for this specialty by median wait. Figures are official NHS England RTT statistics (Commissioner basis), April 2026.
Don't want to wait for ophthalmology service in South West?
The median NHS wait for ophthalmology service in South West is 9.0 weeks. A private GeraClinic consultation can usually happen within days β and you keep your NHS place.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the NHS wait for Ophthalmology Service in South West?
- In April 2026, the median NHS wait for Ophthalmology Service in the South West Commissioning Region was 9.0 weeks, with 75.2% of 58,121 patients seen within 18 weeks. That is 3rd fastest of 7 NHS England regions for this specialty. Figures are official NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) statistics (Commissioner basis), April 2026.
- How many patients are waiting for Ophthalmology Service in South West?
- 58,121 patients in the South West Commissioning Region were on an incomplete (open) NHS pathway for Ophthalmology Service in April 2026. Of those, 14,423 had been waiting longer than the NHS 18-week standard, and 234 had been waiting more than a year.
- Is the wait for Ophthalmology Service in South West longer or shorter than the England average?
- The South West median wait for Ophthalmology Service (9.0 weeks) is 0.7 weeks shorter than the England-wide median of 9.7 weeks for the same specialty in April 2026. Nationally, 612,588 patients are waiting for Ophthalmology Service, with 73.1% seen within 18 weeks.
- Which NHS region has the shortest wait for Ophthalmology Service?
- In April 2026, the North East and Yorkshire Commissioning Region had the shortest median NHS wait for Ophthalmology Service at 8.5 weeks, while the East of England Commissioning Region was longest at 10.4 weeks. South West ranks 3rd of 7. Compare every region on the best-regions page for this specialty.
- Can I avoid the NHS wait for Ophthalmology Service in South West?
- Many patients shorten a 9.0 weeks median wait by arranging a private consultation. A private specialist can usually see you within days, and you keep your NHS place while you do. GeraClinic connects you with consultant-level doctors for an online consultation β useful for a second opinion, referral advice or starting treatment sooner.
Compare ophthalmology service waits elsewhere
- Ophthalmology Service β all 7 NHS regions ranked by wait β see which region is fastest and slowest.
- Ophthalmology Service β national England figures
- All NHS waiting times in South West β every specialty in this region.
Other specialties in South West
- Trauma and Orthopaedic Service β 14.2 weeks
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Service β 13.7 weeks
- Ear Nose and Throat Service β 13.2 weeks
- Oral Surgery Service β 13.1 weeks
- Gynaecology Service β 12.6 weeks
- Neurosurgical Service β 12.4 weeks
- Neurology Service β 11.8 weeks
- Other - Paediatric Services β 11.8 weeks
- Cardiology Service β 11.7 weeks
- General Surgery Service β 11.6 weeks
- Urology Service β 10.8 weeks
- Other - Surgical Services β 10.7 weeks
Long ophthalmology service wait in South West? Find rated providers in your region
The median NHS wait for ophthalmology service in South West is 9.0 weeks. Check CQC-registered care providers and GP practices covering your region β official Care Quality Commission records β to see who is available near you.
- CQC-registered care providers in South West β 506 registered locations
- GP practices by CQC rating in South West β 511 rated GP practices
Provider counts are exact figures from official Care Quality Commission records. Open Government Licence v3.0.
Methodology & source
Every figure on this page is taken directly from the per-region, per-treatment-function summary columns of NHS England's official βIncomplete Commissionerβ RTT data file for April 2026(region sheet): total incomplete pathways, total within 18 weeks, % within 18 weeks, median (average) waiting time, and total 52+ weeks for Ophthalmology Service in the South West Commissioning Region. England-wide figures for the same specialty come from the NHS England RTT provider full extract. The Gera Regional Treatment Rank (GRTR) ranks the 7 regions with published medians for this specialty by ascending median wait (rank 1 = shortest). No estimates or survey data are mixed in; the page re-computes on the real NHS monthly cadence.
Contains public sector information published by NHS England and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS England β Consultant-led Referral to Treatment (RTT) Waiting Times (April 2026, published June 2026). Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This directory is not affiliated with NHS England.
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