How long is the NHS wait for echocardiogram in London?

The current median NHS wait for echocardiogram in London (across 9 NHS trusts) is approximately 12 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 44 weeks. There are 49,848 patients currently waiting on the Cardiology pathway across these trusts.

Where can I get echocardiogram privately in London?

London has private hospitals operated by Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health, and HCA Healthcare among others. Private echocardiogram typically costs £250–£600 in the UK. Most private hospitals offer consultation packages where you can be assessed within days. Ask your GP for a referral letter or self-refer directly.

Will going private affect my NHS care for echocardiogram?

No. You can self-fund private treatment without affecting your NHS care or losing your place on the NHS waiting list. Many patients use private providers to access faster surgery while keeping the NHS option as a backup.

Which London NHS trust has the shortest wait?

Across the 9 London NHS trusts in our dataset, the shortest median cardiology wait is at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (0 weeks). The full breakdown is shown in the table below.

Can I be referred to an NHS trust outside London for a faster wait?

Yes. Under the NHS Patient Choice rules, you have the right to ask your GP to refer you to any NHS trust in England — not just the one closest to your home. If a trust elsewhere has a shorter waiting list, you can request a referral there. Travel costs are your own responsibility.

Echocardiogram in London: NHS wait vs private cost

The NHS waiting list for echocardiogram in London has a median wait of 12 weeks across 9 NHS trusts serving the area. Private treatment typically costs £395, ranging from £250 to £600.

NHS

Faster than the national average

12 weeks

Median wait in London

92nd percentile wait:: 44 weeks
Patients waiting:: 49,848
Seen within 18 weeks:: 3446%

Free at the point of use. Specialty-level data covering Cardiology.

Private

Days, not weeks

£395

Typical UK private price

Lowest published:: £250
Highest published:: £600
Typical wait:: 2–4 weeks

Self-fund or use health insurance. Major UK groups: Spire, Nuffield, Circle, HCA.

NHS trusts serving London

NHS Trust	Median wait	92nd %ile	Patients waiting	< 18 wks
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust RJ1	14 wk	44 wk	10,260	6118%
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust RJ2	15 wk	39 wk	3,123	1895%
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RJ7	13 wk	41 wk	5,809	3516%
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust RAS	16 wk	39 wk	2,446	1374%
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust RYJ	13 wk	35 wk	7,933	5139%
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust RP4	0 wk	0 wk	0	0%
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust RAL	15 wk	36 wk	8,769	5196%
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust RQM	9 wk	17 wk	1,435	1392%
Barts Health NHS Trust R1H	14 wk	33 wk	10,073	6383%

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See Echocardiogram waits across all UK cities →