Types of waiting times for investigation and treatment
Different types of treatment may have different waiting times. Here you will find information about what types of waiting times to consider when choosing a treatment centre.
The time you have to wait for treatment depends on where you are treated and the type of treatment you have been referred for. In the service Choose a treatment centre, you will find waiting times for investigations and treatments within:
physical health
mental health
substance abuse
habilitation
rehabilitation
Within these healthcare areas there are different types of waiting times to consider.
What does waiting time means?
Waiting time is the wait you have from when the treatment centre receives your referral until you can receive investigation or treatment. The waiting time shown for each treatment centre is the longest you can expect to have to wait before you can attend or be admitted to the treatment centre.
Each waiting time is an estimate and not the exact length of time you have to wait.
Different types of waiting times for
If you need investigation or treatment for a physical illness, you may have three types of waiting times.
Investigation: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can attend for investigation. This may include medical examination.
Day treatment: the waiting time until the patient can undergo treatment. Includes any treatment that is not in-patient treatment, including out-patient treatment.
In-patient treatment: the waiting time until the patient can undergo treatment.
This applies to patients staying at least one night at the treatment centre. Where no waiting time for in-patient treatment is stated, admission as an in-patient may, however, still be indicated for medical reasons.
If you need investigation or treatment within the mental health service, depending on the type of treatment you are waiting for, there may be three types of waiting times.
Out-patient investigation/treatment: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can attend for investigation or treatment.
Out-patient group therapy: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can join a group to start treatment.
In-patient treatment: the waiting time from when the patient is referred for in-patient/residential care until the admission date.
If you have been referred for alcohol or drug dependency assessment or treatment, there may be three types of waiting times.
Out-patient assessment/treatment: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can attend for investigation or treatment.
Detox programme: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can be admitted for alcohol or drug detoxification.
In-patient treatment: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient is admitted as an in-patient.
Out-patient investigation and treatment: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can attend for investigation or treatment as an out-patient.
Group-based habilitation with individualised follow-up: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can start group-based habilitation with individualised follow-up.
Out-patient investigation, treatment, counselling: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can attend for investigation, treatment or counselling.
Day/out-patient rehabilitation, individualised programme: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can attend for investigation or treatment.
In-patient, individualised programme: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can attend for investigation or treatment.
Day/out-patient group programme: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can attend for investigation or treatment.
In-patient group programme: the waiting time from when the treatment centre receives a referral until the patient can attend for investigation or treatment.