Rheumatology Department Waiting Times in Luton

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Updated December 2025

The typical wait to see a rheumatologist is

7 weeks

That's nearly 2 months

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. There are currently 878 people waiting to see a rheumatologist, with a typical wait of about nearly 2 months. 94% of patients are seen within the 18-week target.

94 out of 100
patients are seen within 18 weeks
878
people on the waiting list
16 weeks
worst case wait time (92nd percentile)
11 people
have been approved for treatment and are waiting for a date (1% of the list)

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 rheumatologist is about 11 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 24th out of 126 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 2nd out of 14 in East of England

What does Rheumatology cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis management
Lupus (SLE)
Fibromyalgia
Gout
Ankylosing spondylitis
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Joint injections
Connective tissue diseases

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Rheumatology waiting time at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

The current average Rheumatology waiting time at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is about 7 weeks.

How does Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust compare to other hospitals for Rheumatology?

You can compare Rheumatology waiting times across all NHS hospitals on WaitRadar to find shorter waits near you.

Can I choose which hospital I'm referred to?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England have the right to choose which hospital they are referred to for a first outpatient appointment. Discuss your options with your GP.

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