Rheumatology Department Waiting Times in London

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Updated December 2025

The typical wait to see a rheumatologist is

17 weeks

That's 4 months

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the London region. There are currently 3,255 people waiting to see a rheumatologist, with a typical wait of about 4 months. 53% of patients are seen within the 18-week target.

53 out of 100
patients are seen within 18 weeks
3,255
people on the waiting list
41 weeks
worst case wait time (92nd percentile)
3 people
have been waiting over a year
6 people
have been approved for treatment and are waiting for a date (0% 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 a rheumatologist is about 11 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 110th out of 126 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 19th out of 19 in London

What does Rheumatology cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis management
Lupus (SLE)
Fibromyalgia
Gout
Ankylosing spondylitis
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Joint injections
Connective tissue diseases

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 Rheumatology waiting time at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust?

The current average Rheumatology waiting time at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is about 17 weeks.

How does Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust compare to other hospitals for Rheumatology?

You can compare Rheumatology 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.