Glue ear is where the middle ear fills with fluid, causing temporary hearing loss. It usually clears up within 3 months. If it does not, the main treatments are temporary hearing aids or grommets: small tubes placed in the eardrum during a short operation to drain the fluid. Grommets usually fall out by themselves within 6 to 12 months.
Hospital-level numbers for this operation are not published as open data. This page shows NHS waiting times for ear, nose and throat (ENT) services and waits for hearing tests (audiology).
Hospitals in the East of England
13 trusts in the East of England with published figures. Sorted by name. This is not a ranking: read how to read this first.
Hospital-level numbers for this specific operation are not published as open data. The activity column is context only: it shows the trust's overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D (ear) in 2025-26, from Hospital Episode Statistics, in bands. It covers many other procedures as well as this one, it is for the whole trust rather than one hospital, and it does not include private patients. It is not a count of this operation.
| Trust | Trust activity (context)Trust's overall NHS-funded activity, OPCS-4 chapter D (ear), 2025-26 (HES). Context only | Key outcomeNo hospital-level outcome data published | Waiting timeWhole trust | Patient experience | CQC rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Bedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital | 750 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 17.1 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 53.3% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)89.3% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Bedford Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Bedford Hospital) Luton and Dunstable Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Luton and Dunstable Hospital) |
| Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals, Princess of Wales Hospital | 750 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 15.6 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 55% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)19.9% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Addenbrooke's and the Rosie Hospitals) |
| East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Hertford County Hospital, Lister Hospital, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital | 750 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 15.7 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 55.1% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)88.5% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | Somewhat worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Hertford County Hospital: Good (CQC report for Hertford County Hospital) Lister Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Lister Hospital) Queen Elizabeth II Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Queen Elizabeth II Hospital) |
| East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Colchester General Hospital, The Ipswich Hospital | 500 to 749Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 17.5 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 51.3% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)4.5% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Colchester General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Colchester General Hospital) The Ipswich Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for The Ipswich Hospital) |
| James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: James Paget Hospital | 300 to 499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 21 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 40.9% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)3.4% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for James Paget Hospital) |
| Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Basildon University Hospital, Broomfield Hospital, Orsett Hospital, Southend University Hospital, St Peter’s Hospital | 750 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 24.5 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 40.4% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)10.4% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Basildon University Hospital: Inadequate (CQC report for Basildon University Hospital) Broomfield Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Broomfield Hospital) Southend University Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Southend University Hospital) |
| Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital | 750 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 13 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 66.8% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)50.9% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.2 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital) |
| North West Anglia NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Peterborough City Hospital | 500 to 749Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 16.6 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 54% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)62% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | Somewhat worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Hinchingbrooke Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Hinchingbrooke Hospital) Peterborough City Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Peterborough City Hospital) |
| The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The Princess Alexandra Hospital | 300 to 499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 12.4 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 69.3% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)75.8% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | Worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.7 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for The Princess Alexandra Hospital) |
| The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital | 300 to 499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 14.4 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 58% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)89.5% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for The Queen Elizabeth Hospital) |
| Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Royal Papworth Hospital | Fewer than 300Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| Not published for this specialty | Much better than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 9.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Outstanding (CQC report for Royal Papworth Hospital) |
| West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Hemel Hempstead General Hospital, St Albans City Hospital, Watford General Hospital | 300 to 499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 19.6 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 47% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)61.6% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | Somewhat worse than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 7.8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Hemel Hempstead General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Hemel Hempstead General Hospital) St Albans City Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for St Albans City Hospital) Watford General Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Watford General Hospital) |
| West Suffolk NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Newmarket Hospital, West Suffolk Hospital | 300 to 499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter D, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 13.7 weeksHalf of people waiting for ear, nose and throat had waited less than this. 64.3% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026)17.4% of people waiting for a hearing test (audiology) had waited 6 weeks or more (England 42.5%, August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Newmarket Hospital: Good (CQC report for Newmarket Hospital) West Suffolk Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for West Suffolk Hospital) |
Across England
In 2025-26, NHS-funded care in England (NHS hospitals and NHS patients treated by independent providers; private patients are not included) recorded 16,085 episodes where the main procedure was drainage of the middle ear, including grommets (OPCS-4 D15). 88% were day cases. Half of the people admitted from a waiting list had waited less than about 94 days from the decision to admit them. These are national figures from Hospital Episode Statistics (NHS England, 2025-26, Open Government Licence v3.0); the same detail is not published for each hospital.
How to read this
- Not a ranking. The table is in alphabetical order. A higher volume does not on its own mean better care, and we do not combine the columns into a score.
- Trust activity (Hospital Episode Statistics). The bands show the trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in a whole chapter of the procedure classification (OPCS-4), for context. They are not a count of this operation, they are for the whole trust rather than one hospital, they exclude private patients, and we show bands only, not exact counts. Cut points are the lower quartile, median and upper quartile of all 122 NHS trusts in England with activity in OPCS-4 chapter D in the published table, rounded.
- Risk adjustment. Where a figure says “adjusted”, the audit has allowed for differences in the patients each hospital treats, such as age and other illnesses. Hospitals that take on more complex cases can still look different for reasons the adjustment does not capture.
- Bands and limits. We only say a result is higher or lower than expected when the source itself says so (for example NJR outlier status, NELA funnel limits, SSNAP levels, CQC survey bands). Where the source publishes a rate without limits we show the rate and the national figure, and say “No banding published”.
- Small numbers. A small hospital can have 0% or a high percentage by chance. Figures the source suppresses are shown as “Not published (small numbers)”.
- Trust or hospital. This audit publishes figures for each NHS trust, which may run several hospitals. The operation may only be done at one of them.
- Different periods. Each figure has its own period, shown next to it. Audit results describe operations done one to three years ago; waiting times are updated monthly.
- Talk to your GP or consultant about what the figures mean for you. If you are referred for planned care in England, you can usually choose your hospital.
Full definitions: methodology and data dictionary.
Data sources and licences
- Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2025-26 (Hospital Episode Statistics), NHS England. Source: Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2025-26, NHS England, part of the Government Statistical Service (published 24 September 2026). Copyright © 2026, NHS England. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. NHS-funded activity only. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times, NHS England. Source: NHS England, Referral to Treatment waiting times. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity (DM01), NHS England. Source: NHS England, Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity (DM01). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025 (trust benchmark results), Care Quality Commission. Source: Care Quality Commission, NHS Patient Survey Programme, Adult Inpatient Survey 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- CQC ratings, Care Quality Commission. CQC ratings: Care Quality Commission. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Healthcare-associated infections: annual counts and rates by trust (financial year 2025 to 2026), UK Health Security Agency. Source: UK Health Security Agency, healthcare-associated infection annual data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
Data last updated 26 October 2026. We do not change the published figures; we only group volumes into bands. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Sources
We checked this guide against these official pages on 26 October 2026.
- Glue ear (NHS website)
- Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2025-26 (NHS England)
- Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times 2026-27 (NHS England)
- Adult inpatient survey (Care Quality Commission)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us.