Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust Waiting Times

The NHS waiting list at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has 139,908 patients waiting for treatment, with a typical wait of around 14 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS target is 9 in 10), and 2,394 have been waiting over a year.

NHS Foundation Trust London Updated February 2026

Across all departments, most patients wait about 14 weeks

That's roughly just over 3 months: 6 in 10 people are seen within 18 weeks. Waits at this hospital are about 1.2 week shorter than in February 2025.

12-month change

Then vs now at this hospital

Feb 25→Feb 26
Typical wait
13.8weeks
â–¼ -1.2 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
â–² +3.3 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
140k
â–¼ -5.5k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
2.4k
â–¼ -1.2k
Been on the list for 12+ months

Hospital details

Address Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG
Phone 020 3758 2000
Integrated Care Board NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board
Established 1991

Formerly known as

This trust was formed from or previously known as:

Royal National Throat, Nose And Ear Hospital NHS TrustNorth Middlesex University Hospital NHS TrustBarnet And Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

Waiting time trend

Median wait across all departments at this hospital, month by month.

â–¼ -1.2 wks

Department waiting times

Cardiology

14 weeks
60% within 18 weeks

Dermatology

12 weeks
66% within 18 weeks

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

15 weeks
57% within 18 weeks

Geriatric Medicine

4 weeks
100% within 18 weeks

Gastroenterology

13 weeks
65% within 18 weeks

General Medicine

8 weeks
75% within 18 weeks

General Surgery

21 weeks
44% within 18 weeks

Gynaecology

14 weeks
60% within 18 weeks

Neurology

15 weeks
58% within 18 weeks

Ophthalmology (Eye Care)

13 weeks
67% within 18 weeks

Oral & Dental Surgery

14 weeks
61% within 18 weeks

Paediatrics

15 weeks
59% within 18 weeks

Plastic Surgery

15 weeks
57% within 18 weeks

Respiratory Medicine

11 weeks
72% within 18 weeks

Rheumatology

16 weeks
56% within 18 weeks

Trauma & Orthopaedics

20 weeks
46% within 18 weeks

Urology

17 weeks
53% within 18 weeks

Hospital sites at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust operates the following NHS hospital sites. Waiting list figures on this page cover the trust as a whole.

Barnet Hospital Chase Farm Hospital Cheshunt Community Hospital Edgware Community Hospital Finchley Memorial Hospital Hadley Wood Hospital Harpenden Memorial Hospital Hospital Of St John & St Elizabeth Mount Vernon Hospital North Middlesex Hospital Potter Bar Hospital Royal Free Hospital St Michael's Hospital St. Albans City Hospital The Whittington Hospital University College London Hospital Watford General Hospital Wellington Hospital

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS waiting list at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust?

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 139,908 patients on its NHS waiting list. The typical wait across all departments is around 14 weeks from GP referral, though this varies significantly by specialty.

Does Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target?

About 6 in 10 patients at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust are currently seen within the 18-week referral-to-treatment target. The NHS constitutional standard is 9 in 10 (92%).

How do I contact Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust?

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust can be contacted via their main switchboard on 020 3758 2000. Ask to be connected to the relevant department or clinic.

Can I choose to be referred to this hospital?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England have the right to choose which hospital they are referred to for a first outpatient appointment. Discuss your options with your GP before accepting a referral.

Source: NHS England RTT statistics. about our methodology