NHS Pain Management Waiting Times in London
Waiting times for all NHS and commissioned independent sector Pain Management providers in London, covering all NHS trusts and independent sector providers across the Greater London area. Data sourced directly from NHS England RTT statistics.
25w
Regional average
11w
Shortest wait
40w
Longest wait
1w below
vs national average
All Pain Management 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Highgate Hospital (London) - Nuffield | 11w | 16w |
| The Sloane Hospital - Circle | 13w | 18w |
| The Blackheath Hospital - Circle | 13w | 18w |
| Chelsfield Park Hospital - Circle | 17w | 25w |
| Shirley Oaks Hospital - Circle | 17w | 23w |
| Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust | 17w | 25w |
| Whittington Health NHS Trust | 18w | 28w |
| Croydon Health Services NHS Trust | 21w | 36w |
| Guy’s and St Thomas` NHS Foundation Trust | 23w | 33w |
| Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust | 23w | 27w |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 23w | 43w |
| King`s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 24w | 34w |
| London East Hospital - Spire | 25w | 36w |
| London Independent Hospital - Circle | 26w | 38w |
| Hillingdon | 28w | 44w |
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 28w | 40w |
| Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust | 30w | 42w |
| St George`s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 36w | 51w |
| Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust | 36w | 47w |
| Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust | 37w | 49w |
| Barts Health NHS Trust | 37w | 52w |
| Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust | 40w | 60w |
| Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust | 40w | 57w |
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 Pain Management wait in London?
Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the average treatment wait for Pain Management in London is 25 weeks. The shortest available wait across 23 reporting hospitals is 11 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.
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