NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Referral Waiting Times in London

Whittington Health NHS Trust

Updated April 2026

The typical wait to see an ENT specialist is

11 weeks

That's 2½ months

The NHS Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list at Whittington Health NHS Trust currently has 2,171 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 11 weeks from GP referral. About 8 in 10 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). Whittington Health NHS Trust is an NHS Trust in the London region. Waits at this hospital haven't really changed since April 2025. It's slipped down 1 place in the national league for this department's; now 47 out of 159 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Apr 25Apr 26
Typical wait
11.1weeks
No change
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
8in 10
▲ +17.2 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
2.2k
▲ +1.3k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
0
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
8 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
2,171
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
23 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
1 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 an ENT specialist is about 13 weeks. This hospital is faster than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 47th out of 159 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 9th out of 22 in London

What does Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy)
Grommets for glue ear
Hearing loss assessment
Sinus surgery
Nasal polyp removal
Sleep apnoea treatment
Deviated septum correction
Ear infections
Voice and swallowing problems

Hospital contact

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

The Whittington Hospital, London, N19 5NF
020 7272 3070
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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list at Whittington Health NHS Trust?

Whittington Health NHS Trust currently has about 2,171 patients on its Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 11 weeks.

Does Whittington Health NHS Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)?

About 77% of Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) patients at Whittington Health 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) 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.