NHS Rheumatology Referral Waiting Times in London

Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a rheumatologist is

14 weeks

That's 3 months

The NHS Rheumatology waiting list at Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has 1,414 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 14 weeks from GP referral. About 7 in 10 Rheumatology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the London region. Waits at this hospital are about 2.7 weeks longer than in February 2025. It's slipped down 25 places in the national league for this department's; now 94 out of 125 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
13.5weeks
▲ +2.7 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
7in 10
▼ -8.9 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
1.4k
▲ +295
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
0
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
7 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
1,414
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
30 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
1 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.

▲ +2.7 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 rheumatologist is about 10 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 94th out of 125 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 16th out of 19 in London

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.

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 Rheumatology waiting list at Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust?

Chelsea And Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 1,414 patients on its Rheumatology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 14 weeks.

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

About 66% of Rheumatology 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 Rheumatology 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 Rheumatology 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.