NHS Rheumatology Referral Waiting Times in Bury St. Edmunds

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Updated June 2026

The typical wait to see a rheumatologist is

8 weeks

That's 2 months

The NHS Rheumatology waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has 799 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 8 weeks from GP referral. About 9 in 10 Rheumatology patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital are about 2.6 weeks longer than in June 2025. It's slipped down 40 places in the national league for this department's; now 54 out of 124 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Jun 25Jun 26
Typical wait
8.2weeks
▲ +2.6 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
9in 10
▼ -4.8 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
799
▲ +381
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
0
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
9 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
799
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
19 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer

Wait time over time

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

▲ +2.6 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 rheumatologist is about 10 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 54th out of 124 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 2nd out of 14 in East of England

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.

West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds, IP33 2QZ
01284 713000
NHS Suffolk And North East 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 Rheumatology waiting list at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust?

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 799 patients on its Rheumatology waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 8 weeks.

Does West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Rheumatology?

About 91% of Rheumatology patients at West Suffolk 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 Rheumatology 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 Rheumatology 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.