NHS waiting times — Bristol catchment

NHS cataract surgery waiting times near Bristol

Data through April 2026. NHS trusts within 30 miles of central Bristol, ranked shortest wait first. NHS source.

If you're in Bristol and waiting for cataract surgery, the NHS hospital with the shortest current wait is not necessarily the one your GP would default to.

NHS trusts in range

6 wks

Shortest wait

88%

Within 18 weeks (best)

Switch from your closest trust to the fastest in range

Switching from Bristol NHS Foundation Trust to Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust could save you 2 weeks based on current median waits. Right-to-Choose makes this a legal request you can put to your GP.

Closest to central Bristol (0.4 mi)
8weeks
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
0.4 mi
Bristol · BS1 3NU
6,727
On the list
74%
Within 18 wks
0.4 mi
Distance
See wait + GP letter
Fastest alternative #1 (9.6 mi · saves 2 wks)
6weeks
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
9.6 mi
Bath · BA1 3NG
Saves 2 weeks vs nearest
2,678
On the list
88%
Within 18 wks
9.6 mi
Distance
See wait + GP letter

Generate a Right-to-Choose letter to your GP

Pre-filled with Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust as your requested alternative. Print or save, then hand it to your GP at your next appointment.

Open the GP letter generator

All NHS trusts within 30 miles of Bristol

Ranked by shortest median wait. Want the England-wide list? See every NHS trust ranked by Ophthalmology Service wait →

Searching from outside Bristol?

The ranking above is anchored on central Bristol. For a ranking from your exact postcode, search below.

Search by postcode →

Methodology note

NHS England publishes one combined waiting time for the whole Ophthalmology Service specialty — that figure rolls up cataract surgery with every other condition routed through the same outpatient department. The wait for cataract surgery specifically may be shorter or longer than the specialty median at any given trust. We surface this caveat on every comparison.

This wait covers all of Ophthalmology Service — the wait for Cataract surgery specifically may differ. Ask your GP for the procedure-specific timeline. Why this matters →

Cataract surgery waiting times in other UK cities

NHS waiting times — Bristol catchment

NHS cataract surgery waiting times near Bristol

Data through April 2026. NHS trusts within 30 miles of central Bristol, ranked shortest wait first. NHS source.

If you're in Bristol and waiting for cataract surgery, the NHS hospital with the shortest current wait is not necessarily the one your GP would default to.

NHS trusts in range

6 wks

Shortest wait

88%

Within 18 weeks (best)

Switch from your closest trust to the fastest in range

Closest to central Bristol (0.4 mi)
8weeks
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
0.4 mi
Bristol · BS1 3NU
6,727
On the list
74%
Within 18 wks
0.4 mi
Distance
See wait + GP letter
Fastest alternative #1 (9.6 mi · saves 2 wks)
6weeks
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
9.6 mi
Bath · BA1 3NG
Saves 2 weeks vs nearest
2,678
On the list
88%
Within 18 wks
9.6 mi
Distance
See wait + GP letter

Generate a Right-to-Choose letter to your GP

Pre-filled with Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust as your requested alternative. Print or save, then hand it to your GP at your next appointment.

Open the GP letter generator

All NHS trusts within 30 miles of Bristol

Ranked by shortest median wait. Want the England-wide list? See every NHS trust ranked by Ophthalmology Service wait →

Searching from outside Bristol?

The ranking above is anchored on central Bristol. For a ranking from your exact postcode, search below.

Search by postcode →

Methodology note

This wait covers all of Ophthalmology Service — the wait for Cataract surgery specifically may differ. Ask your GP for the procedure-specific timeline. Why this matters →

Catchment headline numbers

Switch from your closest trust to the fastest in range

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Generate a Right-to-Choose letter to your GP

All NHS trusts within 30 miles of Bristol

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Searching from outside Bristol?

Cataract surgery waiting times in other UK cities

Catchment headline numbers

Switch from your closest trust to the fastest in range

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Generate a Right-to-Choose letter to your GP

All NHS trusts within 30 miles of Bristol

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Searching from outside Bristol?

Cataract surgery waiting times in other UK cities