Hospital Appointments & Waiting Times Explained

The NHS in Scotland has changed the way that hospital appointments and admissions are arranged by setting national waiting times targets which relates to how quickly you get an out-patient appointment in hospital or to be admitted for treatment.

• You should not wait longer than 18 weeks for an appointment or admission to hospital for treatment;
• Your waiting time will be counted from the date the hospital puts you on the waiting list, which will happen on receipt of a referral letter from your GP;
• It is unlikely you will actually have to wait the full 18 weeks, most appointments are made earlier than this.

If your GP or medical staff at the hospital think that you need urgent treatment, you will always be seen as soon as possible.