- Address
- Whitstable, CT5 2LD
- Run by
- Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Type
- Community hospital
- Region
- South East, England
Check waiting times ↓ Map and reviews → Phone and opening details →
Waiting times at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
99% waiting under 18 weeks. 4,449 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) | 7 weeks | 99% | 3,632 | 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 Kent Community Health 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaucer Hospital | Circle Health Group Limited | Good | 9.0 miles |
| One Ashford Hospital | One Healthcare | Good | 15 miles |
| Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, Gillingham | Practice Plus Group Hospitals Limited | Good | 19 miles |
| Spire Wellesley Hospital | Spire Healthcare Limited | Good | 19 miles |
| Spire Alexandra Hospital | Spire Healthcare Limited | Good | 22 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 → |
| 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
- Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury (6 miles)
- Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Margate (15 miles)
- William Harvey Hospital, Ashford (15 miles)
- Southend University Hospital, Westcliff-on-Sea (20 miles)
- Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham (21 miles)
Questions and answers
How long are NHS waiting times at Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital?
At Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital, the typical (median) wait so far for people on the waiting list was 6 weeks across all specialties in July 2026, and 99% had waited under 18 weeks. Orthopaedics (bones and joints) had the most people waiting (3,632). These figures cover the whole of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, so waits at this particular hospital may differ. See waiting times by specialty →
Can I choose to be treated at Whitstable and Tankerton 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 Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital?
The nearest private hospital we list is Chaucer Hospital, about 9 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.