NHS Dermatology Referral Waiting Times in Watford

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see a dermatologist is

9 weeks

That's 2 months

The NHS Dermatology waiting list at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust currently has 3,837 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 9 weeks from GP referral. About 8 in 10 Dermatology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital haven't really changed since April 2025. It's moved up 3 places in the national league for this department's; now 42 out of 118 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
9.2weeks
No change
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
8in 10
▲ +5.1 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
3.8k
▲ +625
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
0
▼ -11
Been on the list for 12+ months
8 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
3,837
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
24 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
114 people
waiting for a surgery date
Already been told they need an operation

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 dermatologist is about 11 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 42nd out of 118 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 4th out of 13 in East of England

What does Dermatology cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Suspicious mole checks
Skin cancer assessment
Eczema treatment
Psoriasis management
Acne treatment
Hair loss (alopecia)
Rosacea
Wart and verruca treatment
Contact dermatitis
Skin biopsy

Hospital contact

Main hospital switchboard. ask to be connected to the department.

Trust Offices, Watford, WD18 0HB
01923 244366
NHS Hertfordshire And West Essex 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 Dermatology waiting list at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust?

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust currently has about 3,837 patients on its Dermatology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 9 weeks.

Does West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Dermatology?

About 83% of Dermatology patients at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust are currently seen within 18 weeks of GP referral. The NHS constitutional target is 92%.

Can I choose a different hospital if the Dermatology 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 Dermatology 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.