- Address
- Reading, RG1 5AN
- Run by
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Type
- Major/district general hospital
- Region
- South East, England
Check waiting times ↓ A&E waits ↓ Map and reviews → Phone and opening details →
Waiting times at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
83% waiting under 18 weeks. 34,892 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) | 11 weeks | 82% | 5,411 | 10 weeks |
| Gastroenterology | 10 weeks | 82% | 3,983 | 11 weeks shorter |
| Ear, nose and throat (ENT) | 11 weeks | 77% | 3,262 | 15 weeks shorter |
| General surgery | 9 weeks | 84% | 2,834 | 13 weeks shorter |
| Gynaecology | 10 weeks | 80% | 2,749 | 14 weeks shorter |
| Dermatology | 8 weeks | 85% | 2,566 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Cardiology | 10 weeks | 85% | 2,521 | 12 weeks shorter |
| Orthopaedics (bones and joints) | 9 weeks | 87% | 2,408 | 14 weeks shorter |
| Urology | 8 weeks | 84% | 2,343 | 12 weeks shorter |
| Respiratory medicine | 8 weeks | 90% | 1,298 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Neurology | 8 weeks | 87% | 1,007 | 13 weeks shorter |
| Rheumatology | 9 weeks | 85% | 625 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Oral surgery | 8 weeks | 87% | 508 | 16 weeks shorter |
| Plastic surgery | 9 weeks | 81% | 319 | 14 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 Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, not just this hospital. Source: NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times, July 2026.
A&E waiting times
Across Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust's major A&E departments, August 2026 (12,113 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire Independent Hospital | Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Limited | Good | 0.0 miles |
| Spire Dunedin Hospital | Spire Healthcare | Good | 0.0 miles |
| Circle Reading Hospital | Circle Health Group | Good | 1.9 miles |
| The Shelburne Hospital | Circle Health Group Limited | Requires improvement | 15 miles |
| Spire Thames Valley Hospital | Spire Healthcare Limited | Good | 18 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 → |
| Colonoscopy | £2,000–£3,500 | Price guide → |
| Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) | £1,400–£2,700 | Price guide → |
| Adult tonsillectomy | £2,500–£4,500 | Price guide → |
| Inguinal hernia repair | £3,000–£5,500 | Price guide → |
| Gallbladder removal | £6,500–£10,500 | Price guide → |
UK-wide ranges from prices published by private hospitals. Ask any hospital above for a written quote.
Other NHS hospitals nearby
- Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke (13 miles)
- Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley (14 miles)
- Wycombe Hospital, High Wycombe (15 miles)
- Wexham Park Hospital, Slough (17 miles)
- St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey (20 miles)
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at Royal Berkshire Hospital?
At Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Royal Berkshire Hospital, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 10 weeks across all specialties in July 2026, and 83% had waited under 18 weeks. Ophthalmology (eyes) had the most people waiting (5,411). These figures cover the whole of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, so waits at this particular hospital may differ. See waiting times by specialty →
How long is the A&E wait at Royal Berkshire Hospital?
In August 2026, 64% of patients at Royal Berkshire 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 Royal Berkshire 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 Royal Berkshire Hospital?
The nearest private hospital we list is Berkshire Independent Hospital, about less than 1 mile 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.