Ultrasound – NHS Lothian NOT LIVE
9 in 10 (91.6%)
people on the ultrasound waiting list had waited 6 weeks or less (3,944 waiting).
Official monthly figure for Jun 2026 · Public Health Scotland
Scotland diagnostics data for June 2026, published 25 August 2026
Ultrasound waiting times in Edinburgh
Waiting times for non-obstetric ultrasounds at NHS Lothian, which serves Edinburgh, Scotland.
These are Scotland figures, not NHS England data. Health services in Scotland are run separately and publish their own statistics, which use different definitions. Figures here come from Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot).
Edinburgh: local hospitals and referrals
- Local NHS organisation: Edinburgh is served by NHS Lothian, which runs its hospitals and decides where patients are referred.
- Nearest emergency departments: Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (NHS Lothian), about 3 miles away; Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France (NHS Lothian), about 3 miles away.
- Where to check your own referral: your GP or the hospital booking team at NHS Lothian can tell you where you would be seen and your expected wait.
- Official source: Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot).
What is an ultrasound?
Non-obstetric ultrasound uses sound waves to look at organs such as the liver, kidneys, thyroid and pelvis. Pregnancy scans are not included in these figures.
Ultrasound waiting list at NHS Lothian
At the end of the month (June 2026), 3,944 people were waiting for an non-obstetric ultrasound at NHS Lothian, of whom 333 (8.4%) had waited more than 6 weeks. Across Scotland the figure was 26.9%; a lower percentage is better. Scottish diagnostic figures count people waiting more than 6 weeks (42 days) at the end of the month, from Public Health Scotland.
NHS Lothian: % waiting over 6 weeks for ultrasound Scotland
| Month | NHS Lothian % over 6 weeks | Scotland % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | 8.4% | 26.9% |
| May 2026 | 11.3% | 25.8% |
| April 2026 | 12.5% | 26.0% |
| March 2026 | 10.0% | 20.9% |
| February 2026 | 17.8% | 24.1% |
| January 2026 | 32.4% | 37.2% |
| Health board | % over 6 weeks |
|---|---|
| NHS Fife | 0.1% |
| NHS Ayrshire and Arran | 0.8% |
| NHS Highland | 1.2% |
| Golden Jubilee National Hospital | 2.7% |
| NHS Borders | 3.6% |
| NHS Orkney | 5.3% |
| NHS Lothian | 8.4% |
| NHS Western Isles | 12.1% |
| NHS Dumfries and Galloway | 15.7% |
| NHS Forth Valley | 16.1% |
| NHS Grampian | 22.5% |
| NHS Tayside | 34.1% |
| NHS Shetland | 38.9% |
| NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 39.8% |
| NHS Lanarkshire | 40.0% |
Ultrasound waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | Ultrasound waiting over 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkcaldy | 11 miles | NHS Fife | 0.1% | 1,358 |
| Dunfermline | 13 miles | NHS Fife | 0.1% | 1,358 |
| Hamilton | 35 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 40.0% | 5,884 |
| East Kilbride | 41 miles | NHS Lanarkshire | 40.0% | 5,884 |
| Glasgow | 42 miles | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 39.8% | 10,587 |
| Aberdeen | 93 miles | NHS Grampian | 22.5% | 3,258 |
| Inverness | 113 miles | NHS Highland | 1.2% | 1,121 |
More for Edinburgh: all waiting times · MRI scan waiting times in Edinburgh · CT scan waiting times in Edinburgh · Endoscopy waiting times in Edinburgh. England comparison: Ultrasound waiting times in England.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the wait for an ultrasound in Edinburgh?
8.4% of the 3,944 people waiting for an ultrasound at NHS Lothian had waited more than 6 weeks (June 2026), compared with 26.9% across Scotland.
Why is this not the same measure as England?
Scottish diagnostic figures count people waiting more than 6 weeks (42 days) at the end of the month, from Public Health Scotland. England reports the share waiting under 6 weeks from NHS England’s DM01 return.
Where do these figures come from?
From Public Health Scotland (open data at opendata.nhs.scot), published under the Open Government Licence.