Midlands · NHS Data Updated Weekly

NHS Rheumatology Waiting Times in Midlands

Waiting times for all NHS and commissioned independent sector Rheumatology providers in Midlands, covering the East and West Midlands, including Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby. Data sourced directly from NHS England RTT statistics.

17w

Regional average

5w

Shortest wait

69w

Longest wait

1w above

vs national average

All Rheumatology hospitals in Midlands

Sorted by shortest treatment wait. Green badges indicate waits below 80% of the national average for this specialty.

HospitalTreatment wait
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust5w
South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust7w
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust8w
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust9w
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust10w
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust11w
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust11w
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust11w
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust12w
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust12w
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust15w
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust16w
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust17w
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust22w
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust26w
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust27w
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust69w

Your right to choose a hospital in Midlands

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 Midlands 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 Rheumatology wait in Midlands?

Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the average treatment wait for Rheumatology in Midlands is 17 weeks. The shortest available wait across 17 reporting hospitals is 5 weeks. Figures are refreshed weekly.

Can I choose a hospital outside Midlands 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 Midlands?

Yes. Many private hospitals across Midlands 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 Rheumatology hospital with the shortest wait. Free to use.

Search hospitals