FairWaitDermatology (skin) appointment waiting times and costs in the UK
Official NHS waiting times for dermatology (skin) appointment at every hospital in England, and how Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compare, plus what it costs to go private. Figures from July 2026, checked daily.
Shortest NHS waits in England for dermatology
The 15 hospitals with the shortest median wait, out of 116 hospitals treating NHS patients. Private hospitals here treat NHS patients for free on a GP referral. Figures are for each NHS trust or provider as a whole.
| Hospital / trust | Type | Region | Median wait so far | Within 18 weeks | Waiting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotswolds Surgical Partners | Private · takes NHS | South West | 3 wk | 100% | 81 |
| About Health Hq | Private · takes NHS | South West | 3 wk | 100% | 1,759 |
| East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | NHS | South East | 3 wk | 90.3% | 1,637 |
| Novus Health Ltd | Private · takes NHS | Yorkshire and The Humber | 4 wk | 99% | 1,232 |
| Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | Yorkshire and The Humber | 4 wk | 98% | 1,535 |
| University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | North West | 4 wk | 93.6% | 1,248 |
| Airedale NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | Yorkshire and The Humber | 5 wk | 100% | 48 |
| Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | Yorkshire and The Humber | 5 wk | 90% | 1,087 |
| Dmc Healthcare | Private · takes NHS | London | 5 wk | 83% | 2,506 |
| Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | South East | 5 wk | 94% | 868 |
| University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust | NHS | East Midlands | 5 wk | 90% | 2,750 |
| The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust | NHS | West Midlands | 5 wk | 79.8% | 1,389 |
| Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust | NHS | Yorkshire and The Humber | 6 wk | 89.9% | 1,840 |
| Omnes Healthcare Ltd | Private · takes NHS | North West | 6 wk | 95.1% | 1,938 |
| Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust | NHS | Yorkshire and The Humber | 6 wk | 87.1% | 1,567 |
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Each nation publishes its own figures, measured differently, so they're shown separately (specialty: dermatology).
Scotland
Half of the 20 people waiting for treatment had waited 12 days or less so far; 90% had waited less than 40 days (month ending 31 August 2026). Shortest by NHS board: NHS Borders (—), NHS Orkney (—), NHS Fife (—).
Wales
41,772 patient pathways waiting; 27.1% for 26 weeks or more and 8.7% for over a year (July 2026). Wales doesn't publish a median wait.
Northern Ireland
838 people waiting for treatment (quarter ending 30 June 2026). Median wait so far by trust: Belfast 5 wk, South Eastern 6 wk, Regional day procedure centres 21 wk (worked out from published week bands, so approximate).
Common questions
How long is the NHS wait for dermatology (skin) appointment?
In England, half of the 414,613 people currently waiting for dermatology treatment had been waiting 10 wks or less so far, and 69.2% within 18 weeks (July 2026; the NHS standard is 92%). It varies a lot by hospital: the shortest median above is 3 wk. The NHS publishes waits by specialty, not by individual operation, so this is the wait for the specialty that treats it.
How much does dermatology (skin) appointment cost privately in the UK?
Typically £180–£300 as a self-pay patient. This is a FairWait estimate from published price lists — prices vary by hospital and consultant, so ask for a written quote. On the NHS it's free.
Can I choose a hospital with a shorter wait?
In England you have the legal right to choose where you're referred for most planned hospital treatment, including private hospitals that treat NHS patients, at no cost. Ask your GP, or see the NHS guide to choosing a hospital.
Sources: NHS England — Referral to Treatment waiting times (July 2026) · Public Health Scotland · Welsh Government (StatsWales) · Department of Health (NI). Private prices are FairWait estimates. All data sources.