Lupus
Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) is a long-term condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing joint pain, skin rashes and tiredness. Read more about lupus →
If symptoms are sudden, severe or getting worse, contact your GP or NHS 111.
Where are you up to?
The NHS reports waiting times by specialty, not by individual condition, so this is the rheumatology wait (not specific to lupus), updated August 2026. Enter a postcode to see the hospitals near you.
rheumatology waiting times by hospital
| Trust | Location | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust | Hackney | 3 weeks |
| Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Ashfield | 4 weeks |
| Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Barnsley | 4 weeks |
| Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | Maidstone | 4 weeks |
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | Portsmouth | 5 weeks |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | Surrey Heath | 5 weeks |
| Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust | Kingston upon Thames | 5 weeks |
| South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | Warwick | 5 weeks |
About lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune condition, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Common symptoms are joint and muscle pain, extreme tiredness, and rashes, often across the cheeks and nose, that can be brought on by sunlight. It can also affect other parts of the body. Symptoms tend to flare and then settle. It is much more common in women and often starts between the ages of 15 and 45.
How it is treated
Lupus is diagnosed and managed by a rheumatologist, usually after blood tests. There is no cure, but treatment controls the symptoms. This can include anti-inflammatory painkillers, hydroxychloroquine for joint and skin symptoms, and steroids or other immune-suppressing medicines for more active disease. Protecting your skin from the sun helps reduce rashes and flares.
Living with it
Most people with lupus have a normal or near-normal life expectancy with the right treatment, managing the condition through medication, regular reviews and pacing their activity around flares. Because symptoms vary so much, getting under the care of a rheumatology team matters, both to confirm the diagnosis and to adjust treatment as the condition changes.
Sources: NHS: Lupus. Last updated October 2026.
General information only, not medical advice. Wait or Pay is independent and is not the NHS. Your GP decides what care, if any, you need.