GeraClinic / NHS waiting times / By region / South East / Rheumatology Service
Rheumatology Service Waiting Times in South East
In April 2026, the median NHS wait for rheumatology service in the South East Commissioning Region was 12.0 weeks, with 62.8% of 17,587 patients seen within 18 weeks (official NHS England RTT data).
How long is the NHS wait for rheumatology service in South East?
As of April 2026, the median NHS wait for rheumatology service in the South East Commissioning Region was 12.0 weeks, with 62.8% of 17,587 patients seen within 18 weeks β 1.4 weeks longer than the England median of 10.6 weeks. South East ranks 7th of 7 NHS England regions for this specialty. Source: NHS England RTT (Commissioner), April 2026. Gera re-dates this monthly.
South East vs England β rheumatology service (April 2026)
| Area | Patients waiting | Within 18 weeks | Median wait | Over 52 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South East (rheumatology service) | 17,587 | 62.8% | 12.0 weeks | 301 |
| England (all regions, rheumatology service) | 115,478 | 69.6% | 10.6 weeks | 937 |
| Shortest wait region β South West | β | β | 9.0 weeks | β |
The South East median for rheumatology service (12.0 weeks) is 1.4 weeks longer than the England median (10.6 weeks). South East ranks 7th of 7 NHS England regions for this specialty by median wait. Figures are official NHS England RTT statistics (Commissioner basis), April 2026.
Don't want to wait for rheumatology service in South East?
The median NHS wait for rheumatology service in South East is 12.0 weeks. A private GeraClinic consultation can usually happen within days β and you keep your NHS place.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the NHS wait for Rheumatology Service in South East?
- In April 2026, the median NHS wait for Rheumatology Service in the South East Commissioning Region was 12.0 weeks, with 62.8% of 17,587 patients seen within 18 weeks. That is 7th fastest of 7 NHS England regions for this specialty. Figures are official NHS England Referral to Treatment (RTT) statistics (Commissioner basis), April 2026.
- How many patients are waiting for Rheumatology Service in South East?
- 17,587 patients in the South East Commissioning Region were on an incomplete (open) NHS pathway for Rheumatology Service in April 2026. Of those, 6,540 had been waiting longer than the NHS 18-week standard, and 301 had been waiting more than a year.
- Is the wait for Rheumatology Service in South East longer or shorter than the England average?
- The South East median wait for Rheumatology Service (12.0 weeks) is 1.4 weeks longer than the England-wide median of 10.6 weeks for the same specialty in April 2026. Nationally, 115,478 patients are waiting for Rheumatology Service, with 69.6% seen within 18 weeks.
- Which NHS region has the shortest wait for Rheumatology Service?
- In April 2026, the South West Commissioning Region had the shortest median NHS wait for Rheumatology Service at 9.0 weeks, while the South East Commissioning Region was longest at 12.0 weeks. South East ranks 7th of 7. Compare every region on the best-regions page for this specialty.
- Can I avoid the NHS wait for Rheumatology Service in South East?
- Many patients shorten a 12.0 weeks median wait by arranging a private consultation. A private specialist can usually see you within days, and you keep your NHS place while you do. GeraClinic connects you with consultant-level doctors for an online consultation β useful for a second opinion, referral advice or starting treatment sooner.
Compare rheumatology service waits elsewhere
- Rheumatology Service β all 7 NHS regions ranked by wait β see which region is fastest and slowest.
- Rheumatology Service β national England figures
- All NHS waiting times in South East β every specialty in this region.
Other specialties in South East
- Oral Surgery Service β 18.1 weeks
- Neurology Service β 14.9 weeks
- Plastic Surgery Service β 14.5 weeks
- Ear Nose and Throat Service β 13.6 weeks
- Trauma and Orthopaedic Service β 13.5 weeks
- Gynaecology Service β 13.4 weeks
- Cardiology Service β 12.6 weeks
- General Surgery Service β 12.1 weeks
- Other - Surgical Services β 11.9 weeks
- Urology Service β 11.6 weeks
- Neurosurgical Service β 11.6 weeks
- Gastroenterology Service β 11.4 weeks
Long rheumatology service wait in South East? Find rated providers in your region
The median NHS wait for rheumatology service in South East is 12.0 weeks. Check CQC-registered care providers and GP practices covering your region β official Care Quality Commission records β to see who is available near you.
- CQC-registered care providers in South East β 715 registered locations
- GP practices by CQC rating in South East β 788 rated GP practices
Provider counts are exact figures from official Care Quality Commission records. Open Government Licence v3.0.
Methodology & source
Every figure on this page is taken directly from the per-region, per-treatment-function summary columns of NHS England's official βIncomplete Commissionerβ RTT data file for April 2026(region sheet): total incomplete pathways, total within 18 weeks, % within 18 weeks, median (average) waiting time, and total 52+ weeks for Rheumatology Service in the South East Commissioning Region. England-wide figures for the same specialty come from the NHS England RTT provider full extract. The Gera Regional Treatment Rank (GRTR) ranks the 7 regions with published medians for this specialty by ascending median wait (rank 1 = shortest). No estimates or survey data are mixed in; the page re-computes on the real NHS monthly cadence.
Contains public sector information published by NHS England and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS England β Consultant-led Referral to Treatment (RTT) Waiting Times (April 2026, published June 2026). Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This directory is not affiliated with NHS England.
More GeraClinic data
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