I've been waiting too long for treatment
In England, the NHS Constitution gives you a legal right to choose where you're referred, and to start non-urgent consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks.
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Your rights
- To choose which hospital or service you're referred to for your first outpatient appointment, in most cases.
- To start consultant-led treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral for non-urgent conditions.
- If that isn't possible, the NHS must take reasonable steps to offer you a range of alternative providers, if you ask.
- To be seen by a cancer specialist quickly if your GP suspects cancer.
What to do next
- Check how long you've been waiting. The clock starts on the day the referral is received.
- Contact the hospital's waiting list team, or your ICB, and ask for alternatives.
- If your symptoms get worse, tell your GP. Your referral may be upgraded to urgent.
- Use PALS if you get no response.
Say this
“I have waited more than 18 weeks. Under the NHS Constitution, I'm asking you to offer me alternative providers who could treat me sooner.”
The law behind it (England)
- NHS Constitution for Englandright to choice and maximum waiting times
Elsewhere in the UK
- Scotland
- In Scotland, the Treatment Time Guarantee under the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 is 12 weeks for eligible inpatient and day-case treatment.
- Wales
- In Wales, there are referral-to-treatment targets, but no NHS Constitution right to choose.
- Northern Ireland
- In Northern Ireland, there are waiting time targets, but no legal right to choose your provider.
Easy Read
What you need to know
- In England, most hospital treatment should start within 18 weeks of being referred.
- You can usually choose which hospital you go to.
What you can do
- Call the hospital. Ask about other hospitals that could treat you sooner.
- If you feel worse, tell your GP.
Last reviewed: November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. How we check our information.