NHS Dermatology Referral Waiting Times in Prescot

Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a dermatologist is

17 weeks

That's 4 months

The NHS Dermatology waiting list at Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust currently has 7,256 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 17 weeks from GP referral. About 5 in 10 Dermatology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 341 have been waiting over a year. Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the North West region. Waits at this hospital are about 4.2 weeks longer than in April 2025. It's slipped down 33 places in the national league for this department's; now 108 out of 118 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
17.1weeks
▲ +4.2 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
▼ -8 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
7.3k
▼ -542
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
341
▲ +258
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
7,256
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
47 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
341 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
45 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:

340waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
1waiting over 1.5 years (78+ weeks)

Wait time over time

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

▲ +4.2 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 dermatologist is about 11 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 108th out of 118 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 15th out of 15 in North West

What does Dermatology cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Suspicious mole checks
Skin cancer assessment
Eczema treatment
Psoriasis management
Acne treatment
Hair loss (alopecia)
Rosacea
Wart and verruca treatment
Contact dermatitis
Skin biopsy

Hospital contact

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

Whiston Hospital, Prescot, L35 5DR
0151 426 1600
NHS Cheshire And Merseyside 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 Dermatology waiting list at Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust?

Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust currently has about 7,256 patients on its Dermatology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 17 weeks.

Does Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Dermatology?

About 51% of Dermatology patients at Mersey And West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals 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 Dermatology 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 Dermatology 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.