Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
CT waiting times in Truro
How long people are waiting for a CT scan at the hospital trust serving Truro, 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.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
At the end of August 2026, 1,160 people were waiting for a CT scan at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. 99.3% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 10.5 points above the England figure of 88.8% and 8.6 points above the South West figure of 90.7%. 1 people (0.1%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the list had waited
Royal Cornwall Hospitals: % waiting under 6 weeks for CT England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 99.3% | 1,160 | 88.8% |
| July 2026 | 98.8% | 1,137 | 90.1% |
| June 2026 | 99.5% | 1,080 | 90.1% |
| May 2026 | 99.7% | 1,064 | 89.0% |
| April 2026 | 99.4% | 1,117 | 87.5% |
| March 2026 | 98.8% | 1,553 | 90.0% |
| February 2026 | 98.2% | 1,749 | 90.6% |
How Truro compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 99.3% | 1,160 | 1 |
| 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 139 miles | 99.7% | 1,576 | 2 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 173 miles | 99.3% | 1,326 | 0 |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | about 141 miles | 97.2% | 1,009 | 0 |
| Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | about 68 miles | 96.3% | 749 | 1 |
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | about 100 miles | 93.5% | 811 | 3 |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 117 miles | 92.4% | 448 | 0 |
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | about 178 miles | 89.3% | 940 | 0 |
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | about 71 miles | 86.4% | 1,459 | 23 |
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | about 166 miles | 81.5% | 1,099 | 74 |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | about 41 miles | 69.3% | 2,346 | 95 |
CT waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | CT under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falmouth | 8 miles | Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 99.3% | 1,160 |
| Newquay | 10 miles | Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 99.3% | 1,160 |
| Penzance | 24 miles | Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 99.3% | 1,160 |
| Plymouth | 41 miles | University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | 69.3% | 2,346 |
| Torquay | 68 miles | Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | 96.3% | 749 |
| Barnstaple | 71 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 86.4% | 1,459 |
| Exeter | 74 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 86.4% | 1,459 |
| Tiverton | 81 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 86.4% | 1,459 |
More for Truro: 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 Truro?
At the end of August 2026, 99.3% of the 1,160 people waiting at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 1 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 88.8% under 6 weeks.
Are CT waits in Truro getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust was 98.2% in February 2026 and 99.3% in August 2026, up 1.1 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.