NHS Dermatology Referral Waiting Times in Luton

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a dermatologist is

16 weeks

That's nearly 4 months

The NHS Dermatology waiting list at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has 7,141 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 16 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Dermatology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 31 have been waiting over a year. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital are about 0.8 week longer than in February 2025. It's slipped down 17 places in the national league for this department's; now 94 out of 118 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
16weeks
▲ +0.8 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▼ -1.8 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
7.1k
▲ +1.5k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
31
▼ -21
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
7,141
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
38 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
31 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
19 people
waiting for a surgery date
Already been told they need an operation

Wait time over time

Median wait for this department, with the national average as a dashed line.

▲ +0.8 wks

How long are people waiting?

Distribution of patients by how many weeks they've been on the waiting list.

How does this compare?

The national average wait to see a dermatologist is about 12 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 94th out of 118 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 12th out of 13 in East of England

What does Dermatology cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Suspicious mole checks
Skin cancer assessment
Eczema treatment
Psoriasis management
Acne treatment
Hair loss (alopecia)
Rosacea
Wart and verruca treatment
Contact dermatitis
Skin biopsy

Hospital contact

Main hospital switchboard. ask to be connected to the department.

Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ
01582 491166
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton And Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Dermatology waiting list at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 7,141 patients on its Dermatology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 16 weeks.

Does Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Dermatology?

About 56% of Dermatology patients at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are currently seen within 18 weeks of GP referral. The NHS constitutional target is 92%.

Can I choose a different hospital if the Dermatology wait is too long?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England can ask their GP to refer them to any hospital that provides NHS care. Use WaitRadar to compare Dermatology waiting times at other NHS hospitals near you before accepting a referral.

This is informational data, not medical advice. Always discuss referral options with your GP. Full disclaimer.