- Address
- Cambridge, CB2 0AY
- Run by
- Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Type
- Specialist
- Region
- East of England, England
Check waiting times ↓ Map and reviews → Phone and opening details →
Waiting times at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
80% waiting under 18 weeks. 5,921 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory medicine | 7 weeks | 95% | 3,221 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Cardiology | 14 weeks | 60% | 2,151 | 12 weeks longer |
| Cardiothoracic surgery | 8 weeks | 79% | 549 | 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 Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, not just this hospital. Source: NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times, July 2026.
Nearest private hospitals
| Private hospital | Group | CQC rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuffield Health Cambridge Hospital | Nuffield Health | Outstanding | 0.0 miles |
| Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital | Spire Healthcare | Good | 6.4 miles |
| Rivers Hospital | Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Limited | Good | 26 miles |
| Fitzwilliam Hospital | Ramsay Health Care | Good | 32 miles |
| Spire Harpenden Hospital | Spire Healthcare Limited | Good | 33 miles |
Straight-line distances from the centre of this hospital's postcode district.
What it costs to go private
| Treatment | Typical self-pay price | |
|---|---|---|
| MRI scan | £250–£700 per body part | Price guide → |
| Private consultant appointment | £150–£300 | Price guide → |
UK-wide ranges from prices published by private hospitals. Ask any hospital above for a written quote.
Other NHS hospitals nearby
- Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge (under 1 mile)
- Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon (16 miles)
- Lister Hospital, Stevenage (23 miles)
- West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds (25 miles)
- Bedford Hospital, Bedford (26 miles)
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at Royal Papworth Hospital?
At Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Royal Papworth Hospital, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 8 weeks across all specialties in July 2026, and 80% had waited under 18 weeks. Respiratory medicine had the most people waiting (3,221). These figures cover the whole of Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, so waits at this particular hospital may differ. See waiting times by specialty →
Can I choose to be treated at Royal Papworth 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 Papworth Hospital?
The nearest private hospital we list is Nuffield Health Cambridge 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.