Waiting times

We are here for you, and we will do all we can to get you the care you need as soon as possible.

We are nationally required to contact patients on our waiting list periodically to understand their current situation and future treatment preferences, which means you may receive a questionnaire via text message asking about your current circumstances.

You may have been referred to the hospital by your General Practitioner (GP) or another community clinician and are waiting for your first new appointment.

Patients on our waiting list are being contacted via text message, and sometimes postal letter as part of our work to reduce delays and waiting times. This is so we can ask you about your preferences around your appointments or procedures.

By reviewing our waiting list and gathering this information we can ensure we understand your most up-to-date medical needs, while we prioritise care for our most clinically urgent patients. The SMS text message will show in your messages as being from University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust. 

You will require a smart phone to be able to take part in this survey.  For those patients who don’t have a smart phone, don’t worry you will remain on our waiting lists.

In the message, you will receive a link and a unique user verification code.

We will ask you to enter the code you have been sent and your date of birth to verify who you are. If you haven’t responded within seven days you will receive a text reminder. You have 30 days to complete this survey, and if you do not respond you will remain on the waiting list.

In responding and completing this survey you will help us to reduce waiting times for our patients. We would like to assure you that:

  • Our communication will only ever ask questions relating to your care
  • We will never ask for bank details or make reference to money or payment
  • We will never ask you for your name or address.


For more information about our waiting lists, and your appointment >, visit our 'Your appointment' page.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to complete the survey?

You have 30 days from receiving the text message to respond to the survey. You'll receive a reminder at day 7 if you haven’t completed it.


What happens if I don’t respond to the survey?

Patients who do not respond to the survey will remain on the waiting list.


I received a text message with a link, is this a scam?

No, this is not a scam. University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust is currently conducting a waiting list survey. A text message has been sent to patients to access a legitimate link that will take them to a Patient Hub Portal to answer questions about their care.


I'm not sure whether I still require treatment?

If you are not sure and you still have symptoms or changed symptoms, please choose "go ahead with appointment" and discuss this with your clinician at your next appointment.


I have several referrals at UHDB can I just complete one survey?

You will receive a text message for each referral you have.

Alternative choice

As part of a new national initiative that focuses on providing our patients with the opportunity to receive care elsewhere, we like many Trusts across the NHS are taking part in a scheme that offers alternative choice.

We are now proactively contacting patients who have been waiting over 40 weeks*, and do not have an appointment date within the next eight weeks, to consider their options to see if they could be seen sooner at a different hospital (*some clinical exclusions apply). Eligible patients will be contacted directly. Please do not contact your GP practice or our hospitals proactively regarding this offer.

Eligible patients will be provided with more information in regard to the process when they are invited to consider their options.