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

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an ENT specialist is

15 weeks

That's 3½ months

The NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has 10,599 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 15 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 323 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 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 20 places in the national league for this department's; now 86 out of 156 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25→Feb 26
Typical wait
15.2weeks
▼ -3 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +7.3 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
11k
▼ -1.1k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
323
▼ -280
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
10,599
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
44 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
323 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
975 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:

320waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
2waiting 1.25 to 1.5 years (65 to 78 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 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 an ENT specialist is about 14 weeks. This hospital is about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 86th out of 156 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 13th 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
Visit website
NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 10,599 patients on its Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 15 weeks.

Does Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)?

About 57% of Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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.