Ultrasound – Somerset NOT LIVE
8 in 10 (84.8%)
people on the ultrasound waiting list had waited under 6 weeks (4,396 waiting).
Official monthly figure, end of Aug 2026 · published 8 October 2026 · NHS England
Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
Ultrasound waiting times in Taunton
How long people are waiting for an non-obstetric ultrasound at the hospital trust serving Taunton, from NHS England’s monthly diagnostics (DM01) statistics for August 2026.
Taunton: local hospitals and referrals
- Nearest Somerset hospital: Trinity Hospital (TA1 3JG), under a mile from central Taunton.
- Usually referred to: patients in Taunton are usually referred to Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the nearest major hospital. Your GP or referrer can tell you where you would go.
- Nearest community diagnostic centre doing ultrasounds: Taunton Central CDC (TA1 1NW), under a mile away. Source: NHS England CDC activity data, Aug 2026.
- Integrated care board: NHS Somerset ICB.
- A nearby alternative: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, about 19 miles away, where 74.4% of its ultrasound list had waited under 6 weeks at the end of Aug 2026.
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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
84.8%waiting under 6 weeks
4,396people on the ultrasound waiting list
668waiting 6 weeks or more
43waiting 13 weeks or more
At the end of August 2026, 4,396 people were waiting for an non-obstetric ultrasound at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. 84.8% had been waiting less than 6 weeks, which is 6.5 points above the England figure of 78.3% and 2.8 points below the South West figure of 87.6%. 43 people (1.0%) had waited 13 weeks or more.
How long people on the ultrasound list had waited
Somerset: % waiting under 6 weeks for ultrasound England
| Month | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting list | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | 84.8% | 4,396 | 78.3% |
| July 2026 | 90.8% | 4,023 | 80.4% |
| June 2026 | 90.4% | 3,795 | 80.1% |
| May 2026 | 90.4% | 3,500 | 79.5% |
| April 2026 | 89.2% | 3,452 | 78.1% |
| March 2026 | 96.2% | 3,224 | 82.3% |
| February 2026 | 97.2% | 2,537 | 83.6% |
How Taunton compares
| Area | Under 6 weeks | Waiting list | 13+ weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 84.8% | 4,396 | 43 |
| South West region | 87.6% | 45,464 | 526 |
| England | 78.3% | 648,630 | 30,620 |
Nearby hospital trusts for non-obstetric ultrasounds
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | about 36 miles | 99.1% | 1,321 | 2 |
| University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust | about 53 miles | 99.1% | 2,572 | 3 |
| Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 94 miles | 91.7% | 5,380 | 2 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | about 78 miles | 91.1% | 4,256 | 0 |
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | about 74 miles | 89.4% | 3,329 | 11 |
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | about 89 miles | 88.7% | 3,789 | 12 |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | about 41 miles | 86.0% | 3,261 | 94 |
| University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust | about 63 miles | 79.6% | 4,062 | 48 |
| Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | about 19 miles | 74.4% | 4,570 | 76 |
| Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust | about 43 miles | 71.9% | 2,330 | 107 |
Ultrasound waits in nearby towns
| Nearby town | Distance | Main trust or board | Ultrasound under 6 weeks | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgwater | 9 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 84.8% | 4,396 |
| Tiverton | 19 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 74.4% | 4,570 |
| Yeovil | 21 miles | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 84.8% | 4,396 |
| Exeter | 28 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 74.4% | 4,570 |
| Dorchester | 36 miles | Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 99.1% | 1,321 |
| Weymouth | 40 miles | Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 99.1% | 1,321 |
| Bath | 41 miles | Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | 86.0% | 3,261 |
| Barnstaple | 42 miles | Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | 74.4% | 4,570 |
More for Taunton: all waiting times · A&E waiting times in Taunton · MRI scan waiting times in Taunton · CT scan waiting times in Taunton · Endoscopy waiting times in Taunton. National picture: Ultrasound 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 ultrasound in Taunton?
At the end of August 2026, 84.8% of the 4,396 people waiting for an ultrasound at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust had waited under 6 weeks, and 43 had waited 13 weeks or more. The England figure was 78.3% under 6 weeks.
Are ultrasound waits in Taunton getting shorter?
The share waiting under 6 weeks at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust was 97.2% in February 2026 and 84.8% in August 2026, down 12.4 points.
Can I have my ultrasound 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. The nearest community diagnostic centre recording ultrasounds in NHS England’s Aug 2026 data is Taunton Central CDC, under a mile from Taunton.
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.