NHS Ophthalmology Waiting Times in London
Waiting times for all NHS and commissioned independent sector Ophthalmology providers in London, covering all NHS trusts and independent sector providers across the Greater London area. Data sourced directly from NHS England RTT statistics.
12w
Regional average
6w
Shortest wait
22w
Longest wait
1w below
vs national average
All Ophthalmology hospitals in London
Sorted by shortest treatment wait. Green badges indicate waits below 80% of the national average for this specialty.
| Hospital | Treatment wait | 8 in 10 patients wait |
|---|---|---|
| Ilford Practice Plus Group | 6w | 8w |
| Croydon Spamedica | 7w | 10w |
| The Clementine Churchill Hospital - Circle | 7w | 11w |
| London Independent Hospital - Circle | 7w | 15w |
| London White City Aces | 8w | 11w |
| Wembley Spamedica | 9w | 11w |
| New Cross CHEC | 9w | 13w |
| Dalston Spamedica | 10w | 14w |
| Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | 10w | 15w |
| Shirley Oaks Hospital - Circle | 11w | 20w |
| Bromley Spamedica | 11w | 16w |
| London Optegra | 11w | 17w |
| Bishops Wood Hospital - Circle | 11w | 17w |
| Romford Spamedica | 12w | 16w |
| Guy’s and St Thomas` NHS Foundation Trust | 12w | 24w |
| Ilford CHEC | 12w | 19w |
| London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust | 12w | 19w |
| Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 12w | 20w |
| Hounslow Optegra | 13w | 19w |
| The Blackheath Hospital - Circle | 13w | 19w |
| Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | 13w | 20w |
| Hillingdon | 14w | 24w |
| Whittington Health NHS Trust | 14w | 21w |
| Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust | 15w | 25w |
| Hendon Hospital - Circle | 15w | 23w |
| Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Foundation Trust | 17w | 23w |
| Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | 18w | 31w |
| Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust | 18w | 32w |
| King`s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 19w | 33w |
| Barts Health NHS Trust | 19w | 30w |
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 22w | 43w |
Your right to choose a hospital in London
The NHS Constitution and the NHS Choice Framework give you the legal right to choose any NHS or commissioned independent sector provider in England for your first outpatient appointment. This right applies whether you live in London or anywhere else in England. You are not limited to the hospital your GP first mentions, and you are not limited to providers within your local Integrated Care Board area.
If you have already been referred and are waiting at a hospital with a longer wait, ask your GP to redirect your referral to a provider with a shorter wait. Our Switch Pack includes a letter template and a step-by-step guide to help you make that request.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the average NHS Ophthalmology wait in London?
Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the average treatment wait for Ophthalmology in London is 12 weeks. The shortest available wait across 31 reporting hospitals is 6 weeks. Figures are refreshed weekly.
Can I choose a hospital outside London for my NHS referral?
Yes. The NHS Choice Framework gives you the legal right to choose any NHS or commissioned independent sector provider in England, regardless of which region you live in. If a hospital in a different region has a shorter wait, you can ask your GP to refer you there instead.
Does patient choice apply to independent sector hospitals in London?
Yes. Many private hospitals across London are commissioned by the NHS under the Independent Sector Treatment Centre programme. These providers appear on the NHS e-Referral Service alongside NHS trusts. You pay nothing for your care, and they often have shorter waiting times. Ask your GP whether commissioned independent providers are available for your specialty.
What is the 18-week NHS waiting time standard?
The NHS Constitution states that patients should not wait more than 18 weeks from GP referral to the start of treatment. In many specialties, waits are currently running above this standard. Patient choice allows you to look for a provider that is closer to meeting the 18-week target. ShorterWait shows you the current wait at every reporting hospital.
Data sourced from NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) statistics under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Not medical advice. Always consult your GP before changing your care arrangements.
Search by your postcode
Find the closest Ophthalmology hospital with the shortest wait. Free to use.