- Address
- Bath, BA1 3NG
- Run by
- Royal United Hospitals Bath 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 Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
71% waiting under 18 weeks. 41,031 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiology | 12 weeks | 68% | 3,909 | 12 weeks |
| General surgery | 14 weeks | 63% | 3,857 | 13 weeks longer |
| Ear, nose and throat (ENT) | 15 weeks | 61% | 3,531 | 15 weeks |
| Oral surgery | 17 weeks | 52% | 3,092 | 16 weeks |
| Gynaecology | 10 weeks | 80% | 2,982 | 14 weeks shorter |
| Ophthalmology (eyes) | 8 weeks | 88% | 2,751 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Dermatology | 7 weeks | 81% | 2,581 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Gastroenterology | 9 weeks | 85% | 2,447 | 11 weeks shorter |
| Orthopaedics (bones and joints) | 12 weeks | 68% | 2,349 | 14 weeks shorter |
| Urology | 13 weeks | 68% | 1,899 | 12 weeks |
| Neurology | 18 weeks | 49% | 1,509 | 13 weeks longer |
| Rheumatology | 11 weeks | 71% | 1,450 | 10 weeks |
| Respiratory medicine | 6 weeks | 91% | 565 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Elderly medicine | 6 weeks | 96% | 155 | 7 weeks shorter |
| General medicine | 14 weeks | 100% | 24 | 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 Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, not just this hospital. Source: NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times, July 2026.
A&E waiting times
Across Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust's major A&E departments, August 2026 (8,912 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath Clinic | Circle Health Group Limited | Good | 2.4 miles |
| Practice Plus Group Hospital, Emersons Green | Practice Plus Group Hospitals Limited | Good | 9.1 miles |
| Spire Bristol Hospital | Spire Healthcare | Good | 12 miles |
| Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital | Nuffield Health | Good | 12 miles |
| Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Devizes | Practice Plus Group Hospitals Limited | Good | 17 miles |
Straight-line distances from the centre of this hospital's postcode district.
What it costs to go private
| Treatment | Typical self-pay price | |
|---|---|---|
| Inguinal hernia repair | £3,000–£5,500 | Price guide → |
| Gallbladder removal | £6,500–£10,500 | Price guide → |
| Adult tonsillectomy | £2,500–£4,500 | Price guide → |
| Cataract surgery | £2,000–£4,000 per eye | Price guide → |
| 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
- Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol (11 miles)
- Southmead Hospital, Bristol (13 miles)
- Weston General Hospital, Weston-super-Mare (27 miles)
- Great Western Hospital, Swindon (29 miles)
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at Royal United Hospital?
At Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Royal United Hospital, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 12 weeks across all specialties in July 2026, and 71% had waited under 18 weeks. Cardiology had the most people waiting (3,909). These figures cover the whole of Royal United Hospitals Bath 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 United Hospital?
In August 2026, 56% of patients at Royal United Hospitals Bath 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 United 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 United Hospital?
The nearest private hospital we list is Bath Clinic, about 2 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.