- Address
- Dorchester, DT1 2JY
- Run by
- Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Type
- Major/district general hospital
- Region
- South West, England
Check waiting times ↓ A&E waits ↓ Map and reviews → Phone and opening details →
Waiting times at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
60% waiting under 18 weeks. 23,380 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthopaedics (bones and joints) | 20 weeks | 46% | 3,533 | 14 weeks longer |
| Ear, nose and throat (ENT) | 16 weeks | 55% | 3,117 | 15 weeks longer |
| Ophthalmology (eyes) | 10 weeks | 71% | 2,469 | 10 weeks |
| Cardiology | 17 weeks | 52% | 1,808 | 12 weeks longer |
| Oral surgery | 15 weeks | 54% | 1,654 | 16 weeks |
| Dermatology | 8 weeks | 68% | 1,651 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Gynaecology | 12 weeks | 67% | 1,521 | 14 weeks shorter |
| Urology | 12 weeks | 62% | 1,404 | 12 weeks |
| General surgery | 19 weeks | 47% | 1,354 | 13 weeks longer |
| Gastroenterology | 11 weeks | 73% | 1,015 | 11 weeks |
| Respiratory medicine | 10 weeks | 78% | 298 | 10 weeks |
| Elderly medicine | 7 weeks | 77% | 78 | 7 weeks |
"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 Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, not just this hospital. Source: NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times, July 2026.
A&E waiting times
Across Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's major A&E departments, August 2026 (5,545 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 Bournemouth Hospital | Nuffield Health | Good | 26 miles |
| Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet | Practice Plus Group Hospitals Limited | Good | 32 miles |
| Nuffield Health Taunton Hospital | Nuffield Health | Good | 36 miles |
| New Hall Hospital | Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Limited | — | 36 miles |
Straight-line distances from the centre of this hospital's postcode district.
What it costs to go private
| Treatment | Typical self-pay price | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
| Adult tonsillectomy | £2,500–£4,500 | 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.
Other NHS hospitals nearby
- Yeovil District Hospital, Yeovil (19 miles)
- Poole Hospital, Poole (20 miles)
- Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Bournemouth (27 miles)
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at Dorset County Hospital?
At Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Dorset County Hospital, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 14 weeks across all specialties in July 2026, and 60% had waited under 18 weeks. Orthopaedics (bones and joints) had the most people waiting (3,533). These figures cover the whole of Dorset County 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 Dorset County Hospital?
In August 2026, 57% of patients at Dorset County 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 Dorset County 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 Dorset County Hospital?
The nearest private hospital we list is Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital, about 26 miles away by straight-line distance. There are 4 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.