NHS Plastic Surgery Referral Waiting Times in London

Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a plastic surgeon is

21 weeks

That's nearly 5 months

The NHS Plastic Surgery waiting list at Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has 3,300 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 21 weeks from GP referral. About 4 in 10 Plastic Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 160 have been waiting over a year. Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the London region. Waits at this hospital are about 0.5 week longer than in February 2025.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
20.8weeks
▲ +0.5 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
4in 10
No change
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
3.3k
▲ +334
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
160
▲ +104
Been on the list for 12+ months
4 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
3,300
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
48 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
160 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
570 people
waiting for a surgery date
Already been told they need an operation

Long waiter breakdown

Of those waiting over a year, here's how long they've been waiting:

158waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
2waiting 1.25 to 1.5 years (65 to 78 weeks)

Wait time over time

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

▲ +0.5 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 plastic surgeon is about 15 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 80th out of 93 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 11th out of 14 in London

What does Plastic Surgery cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Skin cancer removal and reconstruction
Breast reconstruction
Hand surgery
Scar revision
Burns treatment
Skin graft surgery
Dupuytren's contracture release
Prominent ear correction

Hospital contact

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

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, SW10 9NH
020 3315 8000
NHS North West London 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 Plastic Surgery waiting list at Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?

Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 3,300 patients on its Plastic Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 21 weeks.

Does Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Plastic Surgery?

About 45% of Plastic Surgery patients at Chelsea And Westminster Hospital 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 Plastic Surgery 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 Plastic Surgery 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.