NHS Dermatology Referral Waiting Times in London

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a dermatologist is

12 weeks

That's nearly 3 months

The NHS Dermatology waiting list at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has 10,971 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 12 weeks from GP referral. About 7 in 10 Dermatology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 50 have been waiting over a year. Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the London region. Waits at this hospital are about 3.8 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 26 places in the national league for this department's; now 53 out of 118 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25→Feb 26
Typical wait
11.9weeks
▼ -3.8 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
7in 10
▲ +10.8 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
11k
▼ -1.7k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
50
▼ -71
Been on the list for 12+ months
7 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
10,971
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
36 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
50 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
483 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:

49waiting 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.

▼ -3.8 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 12 weeks. This hospital is about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 53rd out of 118 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 6th out of 18 in London

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.

Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2QG
020 3758 2000
Visit website
NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 10,971 patients on its Dermatology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 12 weeks.

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

About 66% of Dermatology patients at Royal Free London NHS Foundation 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.

Source: NHS England RTT statistics. about our methodology

This is informational data, not medical advice. Always discuss referral options with your GP. Full disclaimer.