Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
Endoscopy waiting times in Penzance
How long people are waiting for an endoscopy at the hospital trust serving Penzance, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
Endoscopy here combines the four NHS England endoscopy tests: colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, cystoscopy and gastroscopy, where a thin camera is used to look inside the body.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
At the end of August 2026, 850 people were waiting for an endoscopy at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. 84.8% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 15.2 points above the England figure of 69.6% and 8.3 points above the South West figure of 76.5%. 3 people (0.4%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Royal Cornwall Hospitals: % waiting under 6 weeks for endoscopy England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 84.8% | 850 | 69.6% |
| July 2026 | 81.1% | 1,150 | 70.5% |
| June 2026 | 76.6% | 1,494 | 69.4% |
| May 2026 | 78.2% | 1,410 | 69.0% |
| April 2026 | 80.2% | 1,381 | 68.6% |
| March 2026 | 85.0% | 1,333 | 72.2% |
| February 2026 | 95.6% | 1,135 | 72.1% |
How Penzance compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 84.8% | 850 | 3 |
| South West region | 76.5% | 19,224 | 941 |
| England | 69.6% | 197,640 | 26,159 |
Nearby hospital trusts for endoscopys
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | about 92 miles | 77.4% | 1,058 | 44 |
| University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | about 162 miles | 76.5% | 2,749 | 159 |
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | about 93 miles | 76.2% | 1,974 | 66 |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | about 164 miles | 73.7% | 575 | 12 |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | about 64 miles | 72.9% | 1,345 | 37 |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 140 miles | 68.8% | 986 | 85 |
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | about 190 miles | 67.8% | 1,335 | 224 |
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | about 124 miles | 64.9% | 2,328 | 220 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 197 miles | 35.8% | 2,931 | 1,329 |
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | about 201 miles | 28.9% | 2,021 | 1,047 |
Endoscopy waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | Endoscopy under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falmouth | 21 miles | Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 84.8% | 850 |
| Truro | 24 miles | Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 84.8% | 850 |
| Newquay | 29 miles | Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 84.8% | 850 |
| Plymouth | 64 miles | University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | 72.9% | 1,345 |
| Torquay | 92 miles | Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | 77.4% | 1,058 |
| Barnstaple | 93 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 76.2% | 1,974 |
| Exeter | 98 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 76.2% | 1,974 |
| Tiverton | 105 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 76.2% | 1,974 |
More for Penzance: all waiting times · A&E · MRI · CT · Ultrasound. National picture: Endoscopy 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 an endoscopy in Penzance?
At the end of August 2026, 84.8% of the 850 people waiting at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 3 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 69.6% under 6 weeks.
Are Endoscopy waits in Penzance getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust was 95.6% in February 2026 and 84.8% in August 2026, down 10.8 points.
Can I have my endoscopy 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.