- Address
- Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Run by
- North Cumbria Integrated Care 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 North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
66% waiting under 18 weeks. 35,424 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gynaecology | 18 weeks | 51% | 3,878 | 14 weeks longer |
| Ear, nose and throat (ENT) | 13 weeks | 64% | 3,513 | 15 weeks shorter |
| Cardiology | 15 weeks | 57% | 2,876 | 12 weeks longer |
| Orthopaedics (bones and joints) | 14 weeks | 61% | 2,864 | 14 weeks |
| Ophthalmology (eyes) | 9 weeks | 82% | 2,338 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Urology | 11 weeks | 68% | 2,093 | 12 weeks |
| Dermatology | 8 weeks | 76% | 1,957 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Gastroenterology | 14 weeks | 67% | 1,536 | 11 weeks longer |
| Neurology | 13 weeks | 63% | 1,368 | 13 weeks |
| Rheumatology | 15 weeks | 56% | 1,359 | 10 weeks longer |
| General surgery | 18 weeks | 49% | 1,140 | 13 weeks longer |
| Oral surgery | 10 weeks | 81% | 955 | 16 weeks shorter |
| Respiratory medicine | 13 weeks | 63% | 699 | 10 weeks longer |
| Elderly medicine | 12 weeks | 74% | 221 | 7 weeks longer |
| General medicine | 12 weeks | 67% | 121 | 10 weeks longer |
"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 North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, not just this hospital. Source: NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times, July 2026.
A&E waiting times
Across North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust's major A&E departments, August 2026 (8,924 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.
What it costs to go private
| Treatment | Typical self-pay price | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
| Cataract surgery | £2,000–£4,000 per eye | Price guide → |
UK-wide ranges from prices published by private hospitals. Ask any hospital above for a written quote.
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at Cumberland Infirmary?
At North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Cumberland Infirmary, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 12 weeks across all specialties in July 2026, and 66% had waited under 18 weeks. Gynaecology had the most people waiting (3,878). These figures cover the whole of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, so waits at this particular hospital may differ. See waiting times by specialty →
How long is the A&E wait at Cumberland Infirmary?
In August 2026, 51% of patients at North Cumbria Integrated Care 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 Cumberland Infirmary?
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.
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.