- Address
- Chester, CH2 1UL
- Run by
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Type
- Major/district general hospital
- Region
- North West, England
Check waiting times ↓ A&E waits ↓ Map and reviews → Phone and opening details →
Waiting times at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
68% waiting under 18 weeks. 32,138 people on the list.
65% under 18 weeks. The NHS constitution standard is 92% within 18 weeks.
| Specialty | Typical wait | Under 18 weeks | People waiting | England average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmology (eyes) | 12 weeks | 68% | 3,273 | 10 weeks longer |
| Ear, nose and throat (ENT) | 13 weeks | 67% | 3,065 | 15 weeks shorter |
| Gynaecology | 14 weeks | 58% | 2,755 | 14 weeks |
| Orthopaedics (bones and joints) | 12 weeks | 66% | 2,541 | 14 weeks shorter |
| Dermatology | 8 weeks | 78% | 2,374 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Oral surgery | 21 weeks | 44% | 2,216 | 16 weeks longer |
| Urology | 10 weeks | 70% | 1,276 | 12 weeks shorter |
| Respiratory medicine | 7 weeks | 84% | 1,044 | 10 weeks shorter |
| General surgery | 12 weeks | 64% | 1,037 | 13 weeks |
| Plastic surgery | 8 weeks | 72% | 909 | 14 weeks shorter |
| Cardiology | 7 weeks | 81% | 907 | 12 weeks shorter |
| Gastroenterology | 8 weeks | 88% | 827 | 11 weeks shorter |
| Rheumatology | 8 weeks | 91% | 470 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Elderly medicine | 6 weeks | 89% | 263 | 7 weeks shorter |
| General medicine | 4 weeks | 93% | 60 | 10 weeks shorter |
"Typical wait" is the median time people currently on the waiting list have waited so far, from referral, for consultant-led treatment. Figures cover the whole of Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, not just this hospital. Source: NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times, July 2026.
A&E waiting times
Across Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's major A&E departments, August 2026 (5,941 attendances).
The NHS standard is 95% within 4 hours.
Share of patients who spent less than 4 hours in A&E from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. Source: NHS England, A&E attendances and emergency admissions. In an emergency, call 999.
Nearest private hospitals
| Private hospital | Group | CQC rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuffield Health Chester Hospital | Nuffield Health | Good | 4.8 miles |
| Spire Liverpool Hospital | Spire Healthcare | Good | 11 miles |
| Spire Yale Hospital | Spire Healthcare Group plc | — | 13 miles |
| Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral | Spire Healthcare Limited | Good | 13 miles |
| Spire Cheshire Hospital | Spire Healthcare Limited | Outstanding | 16 miles |
Straight-line distances from the centre of this hospital's postcode district.
What it costs to go private
| Treatment | Typical self-pay price | |
|---|---|---|
| Cataract surgery | £2,000–£4,000 per eye | Price guide → |
| Adult tonsillectomy | £2,500–£4,500 | Price guide → |
| Hip replacement | £13,000–£19,000 | Price guide → |
| Knee replacement | £13,500–£20,000 | Price guide → |
| Knee arthroscopy | £3,500–£6,500 | Price guide → |
| Carpal tunnel release | £1,800–£3,300 per hand | Price guide → |
UK-wide ranges from prices published by private hospitals. Ask any hospital above for a written quote.
Other NHS hospitals nearby
- Halton General Hospital, Runcorn (10 miles)
- Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham (13 miles)
- Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool (13 miles)
- Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool (14 miles)
- Whiston Hospital, Prescot (14 miles)
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at Countess of Chester Hospital?
At Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Countess of Chester Hospital, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 11 weeks across all specialties in July 2026, and 68% had waited under 18 weeks. Ophthalmology (eyes) had the most people waiting (3,273). These figures cover the whole of Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, so waits at this particular hospital may differ. See waiting times by specialty →
How long is the A&E wait at Countess of Chester Hospital?
In August 2026, 50% of patients at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's major A&E departments spent less than 4 hours in A&E, against an NHS standard of 95%. If it's not an emergency, NHS 111 can tell you where to go. See A&E waiting times →
Can I choose to be treated at Countess of Chester Hospital?
In England you usually have a legal right to choose which hospital you're referred to for your first outpatient appointment with a consultant, if you need non-urgent treatment. Ask your GP to refer you, or use the NHS App to compare options.
Where is the nearest private hospital to Countess of Chester Hospital?
The nearest private hospital we list is Nuffield Health Chester Hospital, about 5 miles away by straight-line distance. There are 5 private hospitals within 40 miles on this page. See the nearest private hospitals →
Can I pay to go private instead of waiting?
Yes. You can pay for a private consultation or treatment yourself, or use health insurance if you have it and the condition started after your cover began. You can usually go back to the NHS waiting list afterwards if you want to. Our price guides show typical self-pay costs.
Hospital details come from England's NHS organisation data. Check with the hospital before you travel, as services and departments change.