NHS waiting lists - max time limit?

[figleaf]

Im waiting for an internal ultrasound. Called an EUS. What is the max time I should have to wait? I spent time in hospital twice since Feb when the EUS was requested and now its June! Thats around 18 weeks I think. Im an urgent outpatient apparently - hate not to be urgent.

I think that right now 18 weeks is still a target maximum wait time although by 2008 it should be a reality (note word 'should'!).

In your case, I would phone the hospital outpatients appointment line and ask them. Often they can see on their system when you are due to be sent an appointment, even if they can't tell you when it will be, if that makes sense. Not knowing what the hell is going on and if you are in a queue or your request got lost somewhere is one of the most frustrating things. I'd also be tempted to phone the department doing the ultrasound and ask if they know when you're due to be seen. Hope it won't be too much longer!

Figleaf am waiting for same from Kings. Requested in Feb. Appointment given for ultrasound 26 October. Waiting lists are fabrications of government white papers. I am also considered "medium urgent" as I have the symptoms my mother had when she was diagnosed with cancer at the same age as I am now....though that won't be the age I am by the time I get there, should I survive that long.

Cant the 18weeks targets be enforced? Arent we supposed to be offered Bupa by now? What if we've both got Cancer and its not treatable by when we are seen! Cant believe you have to wait till October - presumably Ill be later as I haven`t even got a date yet.

depends on the speciality you're attending. Phone up the dept and ask what their target is for an initial consultation and then what the target is for treatment waiting times.

Sadly, if the medics are flat out, there's not much you can do, other than phone a dept and hassle like mad to be an extra on the end of a planned list

Hi
we were told six months for my dds knee surgery. She is now 13 and injured the knee April 2005, waited till October for MRI, April for follow-up and now we are two months into the wait for a date for surgery!!