NHS Rheumatology Referral Waiting Times in London

Lewisham And Greenwich NHS Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a rheumatologist is

9 weeks

That's 2 months

The NHS Rheumatology waiting list at Lewisham And Greenwich NHS Trust currently has 770 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 9 weeks from GP referral. About 8 in 10 Rheumatology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). Lewisham And Greenwich NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the London region. Waits at this hospital are about 2 weeks longer than in April 2025. It's slipped down 25 places in the national league for this department's; now 64 out of 124 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
9.2weeks
▲ +2 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
8in 10
▲ +6.1 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
770
▼ -91
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
0
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
8 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
770
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
24 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
11 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 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 about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 64th out of 124 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 9th 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.

University Hospital Lewisham, London, SE13 6LH
020 8333 3000
NHS South East London Integrated Care Board

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

No reviews yet. Be the first to leave one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Rheumatology waiting list at Lewisham And Greenwich NHS Trust?

Lewisham And Greenwich NHS Trust currently has about 770 patients on its Rheumatology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 9 weeks.

Does Lewisham And Greenwich NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Rheumatology?

About 84% of Rheumatology patients at Lewisham And Greenwich 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.