Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
CT waiting times in Ashford
How long people are waiting for a CT scan at the hospital trust serving Ashford, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
A CT (computed tomography) scan uses X-rays and a computer to make cross-section images of the body. It is quick and widely used for the chest, abdomen, head and to stage cancer.
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
At the end of August 2026, 7,990 people were waiting for a CT scan at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. 55.0% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 33.8 points below the England figure of 88.8% and 28.5 points below the South East figure of 83.5%. 1,137 people (14.2%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
East Kent Hospitals University: % waiting under 6 weeks for CT England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 55.0% | 7,990 | 88.8% |
| July 2026 | 62.6% | 7,851 | 90.1% |
| June 2026 | 63.2% | 8,476 | 90.1% |
| May 2026 | 60.5% | 8,524 | 89.0% |
| April 2026 | 56.5% | 8,536 | 87.5% |
| March 2026 | 62.4% | 8,565 | 90.0% |
| February 2026 | 63.1% | 7,884 | 90.6% |
How Ashford compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust | 55.0% | 7,990 | 1,137 |
| South East region | 83.5% | 29,511 | 1,374 |
| England | 88.8% | 181,619 | 4,683 |
Nearby hospital trusts for CT scans
Trusts serving neighbouring towns, ordered by the share of their list waiting under 6 weeks. In England you can usually ask your GP which hospitals you could be referred to; waiting lists change from month to month.
| Trust | Distance (town) | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | about 49 miles | 100.0% | 482 | 0 |
| East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | about 24 miles | 99.6% | 1,336 | 0 |
| Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | about 17 miles | 99.3% | 2,402 | 0 |
| Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | about 50 miles | 97.3% | 1,636 | 3 |
| Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust | about 35 miles | 91.4% | 914 | 6 |
| University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | about 42 miles | 90.7% | 2,289 | 78 |
| Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | about 45 miles | 89.3% | 989 | 38 |
| Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust | about 44 miles | 88.1% | 1,016 | 77 |
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 50 miles | 74.5% | 1,425 | 150 |
| Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | about 46 miles | 74.1% | 1,614 | 43 |
CT waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | CT under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury | 13 miles | East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust | 55.0% | 7,990 |
| Maidstone | 17 miles | Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | 99.3% | 2,402 |
| Hastings | 24 miles | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 99.6% | 1,336 |
| Dartford | 35 miles | Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust | 91.4% | 914 |
| Eastbourne | 37 miles | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 99.6% | 1,336 |
| Lewes | 42 miles | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 90.7% | 2,289 |
| Greenwich | 44 miles | Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust | 88.1% | 1,016 |
| Croydon | 45 miles | Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | 89.3% | 989 |
More for Ashford: all waiting times · A&E · MRI · Ultrasound · Endoscopy. National picture: CT waiting times in England.
Understanding the 6-week figure
NHS England counts everyone on the waiting list for a test at the end of each month and how many weeks they have waited since referral. The standard is that fewer than 1% of patients wait 6 weeks or more. Urgent referrals, including suspected cancer, are usually prioritised, so routine waits can be longer than the average suggests. If your wait is much longer than you were told, contact the hospital’s booking team or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Frequently asked questions
How long is the wait for a CT scan in Ashford?
At the end of August 2026, 55.0% of the 7,990 people waiting at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 1,137 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 88.8% under 6 weeks.
Are CT waits in Ashford getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust was 63.1% in February 2026 and 55.0% in August 2026, down 8.1 points.
Can I have my CT somewhere else?
In England you can usually discuss with your GP or the referring clinician which hospitals or community diagnostic centres you could be referred to. Waiting times at nearby trusts are listed on this page as a starting point.
How often are these figures updated?
NHS England publishes A&E, diagnostics (DM01) and referral to treatment (RTT) statistics every month, usually on the second Thursday. A&E figures cover the previous month; diagnostics and RTT figures are a month further behind. This site refreshes when new files are published.