- Address
- Penzance, TR18 2PF
- Run by
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- Type
- Community hospital
- Region
- South West, England
Check waiting times ↓ Map and reviews → Phone and opening details →
Waiting times at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
74% waiting under 18 weeks. 44,275 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) | 18 weeks | 50% | 5,668 | 14 weeks longer |
| Dermatology | 6 weeks | 85% | 4,214 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Ophthalmology (eyes) | 8 weeks | 80% | 3,920 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Gynaecology | 13 weeks | 64% | 3,473 | 14 weeks |
| Ear, nose and throat (ENT) | 10 weeks | 76% | 3,411 | 15 weeks shorter |
| Cardiology | 12 weeks | 64% | 2,452 | 12 weeks |
| Oral surgery | 9 weeks | 74% | 2,333 | 16 weeks shorter |
| Gastroenterology | 6 weeks | 86% | 2,134 | 11 weeks shorter |
| General surgery | 14 weeks | 59% | 1,977 | 13 weeks longer |
| Urology | 13 weeks | 62% | 1,910 | 12 weeks |
| Neurology | 7 weeks | 85% | 987 | 13 weeks shorter |
| Respiratory medicine | 10 weeks | 76% | 654 | 10 weeks |
| Rheumatology | 5 weeks | 95% | 590 | 10 weeks shorter |
| Elderly medicine | 7 weeks | 91% | 333 | 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 Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duchy Hospital | Ramsay Health Care | Good | 24 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 → |
| Cataract surgery | £2,000–£4,000 per eye | Price guide → |
| Adult tonsillectomy | £2,500–£4,500 | Price guide → |
UK-wide ranges from prices published by private hospitals. Ask any hospital above for a written quote.
Other NHS hospitals nearby
- Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro (24 miles)
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at West Cornwall Hospital?
At Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs West Cornwall Hospital, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 9 weeks across all specialties in July 2026, and 74% had waited under 18 weeks. Orthopaedics (bones and joints) had the most people waiting (5,668). These figures cover the whole of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, so waits at this particular hospital may differ. See waiting times by specialty →
Can I choose to be treated at West Cornwall 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 West Cornwall Hospital?
The nearest private hospital we list is Duchy Hospital, about 24 miles away by straight-line distance. 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.