Waiting well

Your health and wellbeing while waiting

About waiting well

You may be put on a waiting list to see a healthcare specialist or to get health and social care services. This site has information to support your health and wellbeing at this time. This includes information on your physical and mental health, as well as advice about practical issues like money worries.

It may seem strange to say you could be ‘waiting well’ as you may not be feeling your best. You may also be unsure what to do while you wait. But, it’s really important to use this time to support your health and wellbeing.

Why it’s important to support your health and wellbeing

Taking positive steps for your health and wellbeing can help you to:

  • ease some symptoms
  • manage or improve your health
  • stop new problems from starting
  • improve your health before your care – this may help you to get better faster

Explore more of the waiting well site

Support your health and wellbeing while you wait

How to look after your health and wellbeing while waiting for health or social care.

Using NHS Scotland and community services

Help, advice and support that’s available from health, social and community services in Scotland.

Learn more about conditions, tests and treatments

Information on common health conditions, tests and treatments.

Getting fit for surgery

How to prepare for surgery to help support your recovery afterwards

Types of waiting list

If you’re on a waiting list, you may be waiting for:

  • an operation
  • a test
  • expert advice, for example from a pain specialist or psychologist
  • social care support

Further information on waiting times in Scotland

Douglas’s Story

Douglas was diagnosed with severe arthritis in 2020. In this video, he talks about how he prepared for hip surgery. He also explains how taking these steps before surgery supported his recovery afterwards.

Dr Paul Baughan

Dr Paul Baughan is a GP in Dollar and a Senior Medical Officer in the Scottish Government. In this video, he explains why he thinks it’s important to support your health and wellbeing whilst waiting. He also gives ideas of what can help at this time.