NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics Referral Waiting Times in London

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Updated June 2026

The typical wait to see an orthopaedic consultant is

18 weeks

That's 4 months

The NHS Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has 10,877 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 18 weeks from GP referral. About 5 in 10 Trauma & Orthopaedics patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 483 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 June 2025. It's slipped down 25 places in the national league for this department's; now 278 out of 307 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Jun 25Jun 26
Typical wait
17.8weeks
▲ +0.4 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
▼ -0.7 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
11k
▼ -1.2k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
483
▲ +162
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
10,877
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
48 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
483 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
2,174 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:

471waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
11waiting 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.

▲ +0.4 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 orthopaedic consultant is about 13 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 278th out of 307 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 34th out of 35 in London

What does Trauma & Orthopaedics cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Hip replacement
Knee replacement
Shoulder surgery
Carpal tunnel release
Arthroscopy (keyhole joint surgery)
Fracture treatment
ACL reconstruction
Spinal injections
Bunion surgery
Trigger finger release

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 Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust?

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 10,877 patients on its Trauma & Orthopaedics waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 18 weeks.

Does Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Trauma & Orthopaedics?

About 51% of Trauma & Orthopaedics 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics 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 Trauma & Orthopaedics 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.