Surrey Hospital Surges: Top 10 for Patient Wait Times

East Surrey Hospital, part of the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, has achieved significant improvements in patient care, ranking among the top trusts nationally for reducing waiting times. As of 2025-26, the hospital has boosted the percentage of patients treated within the 18-week NHS target for elective care to 67%, a notable increase from 55% in previous periods.

This improvement marks the trust's best performance since the pandemic began. Furthermore, the overall waiting list for elective services, which encompass planned surgeries and cancer treatments, saw a 14% reduction in 2025-26. This translates to over 7,000 patients being treated more promptly, effectively reversing post-pandemic growth and strengthening the hospital's recovery efforts.

Trust chief executive Andrew Hines highlighted that reducing elective and outpatient waiting times is a key priority. He credited new working methods and enhanced collaboration with partners for the improved access to care. While acknowledging the progress, Hines also noted that further work is needed to address the longest waits and enhance diagnostic performance. The trust has expanded patient-initiated follow-ups, which allows patients to schedule their own care, tripling its use over the past year to nearly meet national targets.