Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
CT waiting times in Dorchester
How long people are waiting for a CT scan at the hospital trust serving Dorchester, 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.
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
At the end of August 2026, 448 people were waiting for a CT scan at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. 92.4% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 3.6 points above the England figure of 88.8% and 1.7 points above the South West figure of 90.7%. 0 people (0.0%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Dorset County Hospital: % waiting under 6 weeks for CT England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 92.4% | 448 | 88.8% |
| July 2026 | 93.6% | 482 | 90.1% |
| June 2026 | 95.6% | 570 | 90.1% |
| May 2026 | 96.4% | 524 | 89.0% |
| April 2026 | 98.3% | 536 | 87.5% |
| March 2026 | 97.8% | 411 | 90.0% |
| February 2026 | 100.0% | 371 | 90.6% |
How Dorchester compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 92.4% | 448 | 0 |
| South West region | 90.7% | 17,041 | 183 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | about 20 miles | 99.7% | 1,576 | 2 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 55 miles | 99.3% | 1,326 | 0 |
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | about 82 miles | 99.2% | 1,163 | 1 |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | about 46 miles | 97.2% | 1,009 | 0 |
| Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | about 51 miles | 96.3% | 749 | 1 |
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | about 18 miles | 93.5% | 811 | 3 |
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | about 59 miles | 89.3% | 940 | 0 |
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | about 48 miles | 86.4% | 1,459 | 23 |
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | about 47 miles | 81.5% | 1,099 | 74 |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | about 78 miles | 69.3% | 2,346 | 95 |
CT waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | CT under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weymouth | 7 miles | Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 92.4% | 448 |
| Yeovil | 18 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 93.5% | 811 |
| Poole | 20 miles | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 99.7% | 1,576 |
| Bournemouth | 25 miles | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | 99.7% | 1,576 |
| Taunton | 36 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 93.5% | 811 |
| Bridgwater | 38 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 93.5% | 811 |
| Bath | 46 miles | Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | 97.2% | 1,009 |
| Southampton | 47 miles | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | 81.5% | 1,099 |
More for Dorchester: 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 Dorchester?
At the end of August 2026, 92.4% of the 448 people waiting at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 0 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 88.8% under 6 weeks.
Are CT waits in Dorchester getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was 100.0% in February 2026 and 92.4% in August 2026, down 7.6 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.