NHS Plastic Surgery Referral Waiting Times in London

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a plastic surgeon is

13 weeks

That's 3 months

The NHS Plastic Surgery waiting list at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has 2,950 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 13 weeks from GP referral. About 6 in 10 Plastic Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 31 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 4.8 weeks shorter than in April 2025. It's moved up 26 places in the national league for this department's; now 45 out of 91 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
12.7weeks
▼ -4.8 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
6in 10
▲ +10.5 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
3k
▲ +61
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
31
▼ -164
Been on the list for 12+ months
6 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
2,950
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
40 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
31 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
1,134 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:

28waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
3waiting 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.

▼ -4.8 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 plastic surgeon is about 13 weeks. This hospital is about the same as the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 45th out of 91 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 8th out of 16 in London

What does Plastic Surgery cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Skin cancer removal and reconstruction
Breast reconstruction
Hand surgery
Scar revision
Burns treatment
Skin graft surgery
Dupuytren's contracture release
Prominent ear correction

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

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 2,950 patients on its Plastic Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 13 weeks.

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

About 61% of Plastic Surgery 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 Plastic Surgery 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 Plastic Surgery waiting times at other NHS hospitals near you before accepting a referral.

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