NHS Paediatrics Referral Waiting Times in London

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see a paediatrician is

15 weeks

That's just over 3 months

The NHS Paediatrics waiting list at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has 6,723 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 15 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Paediatrics patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 156 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 haven't really changed since February 2025. It's slipped down 8 places in the national league for this department's; now 91 out of 118 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25→Feb 26
Typical wait
14.7weeks
No change
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +0.8 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
6.7k
▲ +176
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
156
▼ -135
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
6,723
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
42 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
156 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
529 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:

150waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
6waiting 1.25 to 1.5 years (65 to 78 weeks)

Wait time over time

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

No change

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 paediatrician is about 12 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 91st out of 118 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 15th out of 18 in London

What does Paediatrics cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Developmental assessments
Childhood asthma
Growth concerns
Behavioural assessments (ADHD, autism)
Paediatric allergies
Childhood eczema
Recurrent infections
Bed-wetting (enuresis)

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

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

No reviews yet. Be the first to leave one.

Other departments at this hospital

View all departments

Compare this department at other hospitals

Compare hospitals

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 6,723 patients on its Paediatrics 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 Paediatrics?

About 59% of Paediatrics 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 Paediatrics 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 Paediatrics 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.