NHS Rheumatology Referral Waiting Times in St. Leonards-on-sea

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a rheumatologist is

9 weeks

That's 2 months

The NHS Rheumatology waiting list at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust currently has 894 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 9 weeks from GP referral. About 9 in 10 Rheumatology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 1 have been waiting over a year. East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the South East region. Waits at this hospital are about 3.5 weeks longer than in February 2025. It's slipped down 41 places in the national league for this department's; now 55 out of 125 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
8.6weeks
▲ +3.5 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
9in 10
▼ -8 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
894
▲ +241
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
1
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
9 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
894
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
22 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
1 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months

Wait time over time

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

▲ +3.5 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 rheumatologist is about 10 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 55th out of 125 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 11th out of 21 in South East

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.

St Annes House, St. Leonards-on-sea, TN37 7PT
01424 755255
NHS Sussex 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 Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust?

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust currently has about 894 patients on its Rheumatology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 9 weeks.

Does East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Rheumatology?

About 87% of Rheumatology patients at East Sussex Healthcare 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.