Diagnostic test · NHS England, July 2026
Cystoscopy NHS waiting times
A cystoscopy uses a thin camera to look inside the bladder. In July 2026, 25,204 people were waiting for one in England and 24.5% had waited 6 weeks or more.
People waiting
25,204
▼ −670 vs previous month
Waiting 6+ weeks
24.5%
▼ −2.0pp vs previous month
Standard: under 1%
Median wait so far
3.0 weeks
Tests done in the month
36,639
Shortest cystoscopy waits
Providers with at least 200 people waiting, sorted by share waiting 6+ weeks (July 2026).
| Hospital / provider | 6+ weeks | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Care AllianceNorth West | 0.0% | 1.8 weeks |
| East Kent Hospitals UniversitySouth East | 0.0% | 2.2 weeks |
| BristolSouth West | 0.0% | 2.2 weeks |
| Calderdale and HuddersfieldYorkshire & the Humber | 0.0% | 2.9 weeks |
| Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching HospitalsYorkshire & the Humber | 0.2% | 2.3 weeks |
| Imperial College HealthcareLondon | 1.3% | 2.5 weeks |
| Northumbria HealthcareNorth East & Yorkshire | 1.5% | 1.7 weeks |
| Wirral University Teaching HospitalNorth West | 1.7% | 2.5 weeks |
| Frimley HealthSouth East | 5.6% | 1.7 weeks |
| Northern Lincolnshire and GooleYorkshire & the Humber | 6.7% | 1.7 weeks |
| London North West University HealthcareLondon | 10.8% | 2.2 weeks |
| East Suffolk and North EssexEast of England | 11.5% | 2.4 weeks |
| North West AngliaEast of England | 11.8% | 2.1 weeks |
| Chelsea and Westminster HospitalLondon | 12.1% | 2.2 weeks |
| Manchester UniversityNorth West | 13.0% | 1.8 weeks |
Longest cystoscopy waits
- Guy's and St Thomas'78.6% 6+ wks
- Barts Health60.9% 6+ wks
- Mid and South Essex59.4% 6+ wks
- University Hospital Southampton56.9% 6+ wks
- University Hospitals Birmingham56.0% 6+ wks
- Lewisham and Greenwich52.9% 6+ wks
- United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals52.3% 6+ wks
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals47.7% 6+ wks
- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare43.1% 6+ wks
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals42.4% 6+ wks
England, last 13 months
% of people waiting under 6 weeks
Show month-by-month figures
| Month | Waiting | Within 6 wks | 13+ wks |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 25,204 | 75.5% | 3,053 |
| June 2026 | 25,874 | 73.5% | 3,168 |
| May 2026 | 27,221 | 72.1% | 3,334 |
| April 2026 | 27,156 | 71.5% | 3,517 |
| March 2026 | 26,520 | 75.5% | 2,871 |
| February 2026 | 27,138 | 76.2% | 3,076 |
| January 2026 | 27,065 | 72.9% | 3,034 |
| December 2025 | 26,514 | 73.3% | 3,120 |
| November 2025 | 25,766 | 75.4% | 3,005 |
| October 2025 | 26,062 | 74.7% | 3,312 |
| September 2025 | 24,770 | 73.1% | 3,232 |
| August 2025 | 24,024 | 71.9% | 3,077 |
| July 2025 | 24,901 | 73.6% | 3,232 |
Questions
How long is the NHS waiting list for a cystoscopy?
In July 2026, 25,204 people in England were waiting for a cystoscopy. Half had waited longer than 3.0 weeks and 24.5% had waited 6 weeks or more. The NHS standard is that no more than 1% should wait 6 weeks.
Which hospitals have the shortest waits for a cystoscopy?
Among providers with at least 200 people waiting, the lowest share waiting 6+ weeks in July 2026 was at Northern Care Alliance (0.0%), East Kent Hospitals University (0.0%), Bristol (0.0%).
Can I get a scan or test done faster?
Tests are usually booked by the hospital or GP team that referred you. If you have been waiting a long time, contact the department or the hospital's patient advice and liaison service (PALS). Some tests are also offered at community diagnostic centres.
Sources: NHS England statistics on referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times (July 2026), A&E attendances (August 2026), diagnostic waiting times (DM01) and cancer waiting times, published 10 September 2026; hospital sites from the nhs.uk organisation data. Figures are checked against the official national totals before every update.
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