NHS Rheumatology Referral Waiting Times in Stevenage

East And North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a rheumatologist is

15 weeks

That's just over 3 months

The NHS Rheumatology waiting list at East And North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust currently has 1,127 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 15 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Rheumatology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). East And North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital are about 1.6 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 5 places in the national league for this department's; now 101 out of 125 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
14.7weeks
▼ -1.6 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +5 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
1.1k
▲ +80
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
0
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
1,127
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
31 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer

Wait time over time

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

▼ -1.6 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 101st out of 125 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 9th 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.

Lister Hospital, Stevenage, SG1 4AB
01438 314333
NHS Hertfordshire And West Essex 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 East And North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust?

East And North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust currently has about 1,127 patients on its Rheumatology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 15 weeks.

Does East And North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Rheumatology?

About 60% of Rheumatology patients at East And North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS 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.