Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Department Waiting Times in London

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Updated December 2025

The typical wait to see an ENT specialist is

15 weeks

That's 3½ months

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the London region. There are currently 10,620 people waiting to see an ENT specialist, with a typical wait of about 3½ months. 57% of patients are seen within the 18-week target.

57 out of 100
patients are seen within 18 weeks
10,620
people on the waiting list
42 weeks
worst case wait time (92nd percentile)
249 people
have been waiting over a year
920 people
have been approved for treatment and are waiting for a date (9% of the list)

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 an ENT specialist is about 16 weeks. This hospital is about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 77th out of 160 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 12th out of 22 in London

What does Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy)
Grommets for glue ear
Hearing loss assessment
Sinus surgery
Nasal polyp removal
Sleep apnoea treatment
Deviated septum correction
Ear infections
Voice and swallowing problems

Hospital contact

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting time at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust?

The current average Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting time at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is about 15 weeks.

How does Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust compare to other hospitals for Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)?

You can compare Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting times across all NHS hospitals on WaitRadar to find shorter waits near you.

Can I choose which hospital I'm referred to?

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.

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