Ultrasound waiting times in Ashford
Ashford is located in Kent, England. Residents of Ashford who are referred for an ultrasound scan typically receive their imaging through EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST.
About this data
Ultrasound waiting time figures on this page are published at NHS trust level, not individual hospitals. For Ashford, ultrasound services are provided by EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST, and the figures shown reflect all ultrasound patients waiting within this trust.
These figures do not show individual hospital-site waiting times and cannot predict how long a specific patient will wait.
Current ultrasound waiting times
| Total patients waiting for ultrasound | 7,241 |
|---|---|
| Patients waiting over 6 weeks | 3,032 |
| Percentage waiting over 6 weeks | 41.9% |
| Patients waiting 13 weeks or more | 527 |
| Reporting period | November 2025 |
| NHS trust | EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST |
Summary: Based on published NHS trust-level data, most patients are waiting under 6 weeks for an ultrasound.
What this means for patients in Ashford
The figures above show how many patients are currently waiting for an ultrasound scan at EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST. These are threshold-based counts, showing the number of patients in different waiting bands at the end of the reporting period.
Ultrasound waiting times can vary depending on local demand, available equipment and sonographer capacity, and staffing. Your individual wait may be shorter or longer than these figures suggest, depending on the clinical urgency of your referral.
Urgent referrals (for example, those where cancer is suspected or for pregnancy-related scans) are prioritised and typically seen faster than routine referrals. If you have concerns about your wait, contact your GP or the hospital's booking team.
How ultrasound referrals work for residents of Ashford
Ultrasound scans are typically arranged following a referral from your GP or a hospital consultant. Once referred, you will be added to the waiting list at EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (or another provider if you exercise patient choice).
The trust may offer ultrasound appointments at different hospital sites or community diagnostic centres within their area. Depending on availability, you may be offered an appointment at a location that is not your nearest hospital. This is sometimes done to reduce waiting times.
If you have specific requirements or constraints (mobility, transport, time of day), discuss these with the booking team when arranging your appointment.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ultrasound waiting time in Ashford?
Ultrasound waiting times in Ashford depend on the current demand at EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST. The data shown on this page reflects the number of patients waiting at different time thresholds (under 6 weeks, over 6 weeks, and 13+ weeks) as of November 2025. Exact individual waiting times depend on clinical urgency and appointment availability.
Which NHS trust provides ultrasound scans for Ashford?
Residents of Ashford typically receive ultrasound scans through EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST. This trust may operate ultrasound services at one or more hospital sites in the area.
Do people from Ashford have to travel for an ultrasound?
Ultrasound scans for Ashford residents are provided by EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST, which may have ultrasound facilities at multiple hospital sites or community diagnostic centres. Patients may be offered appointments at different locations within the trust area depending on availability.
Why are ultrasound waits different in nearby towns?
Ultrasound waiting times can vary between towns because different NHS trusts manage their own diagnostic services. Factors include local demand, equipment capacity, staffing levels, and referral volumes. Towns served by the same NHS trust will generally have similar waiting times.
Can patients from Ashford choose where to have their ultrasound?
Under NHS patient choice, patients may be able to choose an alternative provider for their ultrasound scan. Discuss options with your GP or the referring clinician. Wait times at other providers may differ from those at EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST.
Nearby towns served by EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
The following towns are also served by EAST KENT HOSPITALS UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST and may have similar ultrasound waiting times:
Related pages
Data sources
Ultrasound waiting time data is sourced from the NHS England DM01 Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity dataset, published monthly under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Data shown is from the November 2025 reporting period.
Important: This page provides general information about ultrasound waiting times and does not constitute medical advice. Individual waiting times depend on clinical urgency and local factors. Contact your GP or the hospital for advice about your specific situation.
Last updated: January 2026