Diagnostic test · NHS England, July 2026
Flexible sigmoidoscopy NHS waiting times
A flexible sigmoidoscopy uses a thin camera to look at the lower part of the large bowel. In July 2026, 24,153 people were waiting for one in England and 32.0% had waited 6 weeks or more.
People waiting
24,153
▼ −9 vs previous month
Waiting 6+ weeks
32.0%
▼ −0.5pp vs previous month
Standard: under 1%
Median wait so far
3.7 weeks
Tests done in the month
17,103
Shortest flexible sigmoidoscopy waits
Providers with at least 200 people waiting, sorted by share waiting 6+ weeks (July 2026).
| Hospital / provider | 6+ weeks | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester UniversityNorth West | 1.9% | 2.2 weeks |
| West Hertfordshire Teaching HospitalsEast of England | 3.4% | 2.6 weeks |
| London North West University HealthcareLondon | 6.8% | 1.6 weeks |
| The Shrewsbury and Telford HospitalWest Midlands | 11.3% | 3.0 weeks |
| BristolSouth West | 13.7% | 2.9 weeks |
| The Dudley GroupWest Midlands | 14.2% | 3.1 weeks |
| University Hospitals of LeicesterEast Midlands | 15.1% | 2.2 weeks |
| Frimley HealthSouth East | 20.0% | 2.6 weeks |
| East Suffolk and North EssexEast of England | 21.0% | 3.1 weeks |
| Hull University Teaching HospitalsYorkshire & the Humber | 24.1% | 3.2 weeks |
| Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching HospitalsNorth West | 25.5% | 3.7 weeks |
| Epsom and St Helier University HospitalsLondon | 27.5% | 3.2 weeks |
| Maidstone and Tunbridge WellsSouth East | 28.2% | 3.8 weeks |
| Norfolk and Norwich University HospitalsEast of England | 30.8% | 4.0 weeks |
| Royal Devon University HealthcareSouth West | 31.2% | 3.7 weeks |
Longest flexible sigmoidoscopy waits
- Hampshire Hospitals78.6% 6+ wks
- Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals71.5% 6+ wks
- Portsmouth Hospitals University69.9% 6+ wks
- Mid and South Essex68.8% 6+ wks
- West Suffolk59.8% 6+ wks
- Barts Health59.5% 6+ wks
- Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals57.9% 6+ wks
- Northern Lincolnshire and Goole54.4% 6+ wks
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton54.3% 6+ wks
- North West Anglia54.3% 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 | 24,153 | 68.0% | 3,207 |
| June 2026 | 24,162 | 67.5% | 3,319 |
| May 2026 | 24,862 | 67.5% | 3,226 |
| April 2026 | 25,017 | 66.6% | 2,995 |
| March 2026 | 24,696 | 71.2% | 2,584 |
| February 2026 | 24,328 | 70.2% | 3,063 |
| January 2026 | 23,810 | 66.1% | 3,310 |
| December 2025 | 22,831 | 67.7% | 2,952 |
| November 2025 | 22,199 | 70.2% | 2,743 |
| October 2025 | 23,057 | 72.5% | 2,862 |
| September 2025 | 22,277 | 70.0% | 2,925 |
| August 2025 | 22,331 | 67.5% | 2,915 |
| July 2025 | 23,111 | 70.8% | 2,803 |
Questions
How long is the NHS waiting list for a flexible sigmoidoscopy?
In July 2026, 24,153 people in England were waiting for a flexible sigmoidoscopy. Half had waited longer than 3.7 weeks and 32.0% 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 flexible sigmoidoscopy?
Among providers with at least 200 people waiting, the lowest share waiting 6+ weeks in July 2026 was at Manchester University (1.9%), West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals (3.4%), London North West University Healthcare (6.8%).
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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