For many planned NHS services, you have a right to choose the provider for your first outpatient appointment when you’re referred. If you’ve already been referred and have waited, or are likely to wait, more than 18 weeks before starting treatment, you can also ask the NHS whether a suitable alternative provider could treat you sooner.

We understand that waiting longer for treatment can affect your quality of life, ability to work, family responsibilities and overall wellbeing. At Benenden Hospital, you could be seen sooner than with your local NHS provider, helping you to get back to doing what you love.

Below you can compare average waiting times for treatment at Benenden Hospital with hospitals serving patients in Essex and Sussex.

*Comparison of average indicative waiting time for treatment for orthopaedics, ENT, general surgery and urology at Benenden Hospital against Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Figures correct as at 3 September 2026. Data taken from My Planned Care.

If you’ve already been referred to an NHS hospital and you have waited, or are likely to wait, more than 18 weeks before starting treatment, you may ask the NHS whether a suitable alternative provider could treat you sooner.

Please contact the hospital currently managing your care and ask about your right to be considered for treatment with an alternative provider. You can tell them that you’d be interested in Benenden Hospital (if we provide the treatment you need and can accept your care through the relevant NHS pathway).

Your current NHS provider or healthcare team will advise whether:

• Your existing pathway can be transferred to Benenden Hospital through an inter-provider transfer, or
• You need to speak to your GP or another referrer about a new referral

A transfer isn’t automatic. It’ll depend on the treatment required, clinical suitability, available capacity and the relevant NHS commissioning and referral arrangements. Benenden Hospital must formally accept the referral or transfer before treatment can be arranged.

If an inter-provider transfer is agreed, the NHS organisation currently managing your care will send us the required referral, clinical and waiting time information. Please do not ask your GP to make a new referral unless your current NHS provider advises that this is the appropriate route.

For general information about NHS services available at Benenden Hospital, please call our NHS Booking Team on 01580 242515 or email Outpatient.Reservations@benenden.org.uk. The team can provide information but cannot arrange the transfer directly with you.

If your GP or other healthcare professional believes you may need planned hospital treatment, you can ask to be referred to Benenden Hospital for your first outpatient appointment where:

• We provide the service you need through the NHS
• The service is available for your referral pathway, and
• You meet the relevant clinical acceptance criteria

You may wish to say to your GP: “I would like to consider Benenden Hospital for my NHS treatment. Is Benenden available through the NHS e-Referral Service for the specialty and treatment I need?”

Your GP or referrer can check the NHS e-Referral Service and discuss the available providers with you.