Tc, I'm on the waiting list and have had a letter from rheumatology, saying that they will contact me when I get to the top of the waiting list to arrange an appointment. They don't give appointments any more because so often people couldn't make them. Instead, you are told when you can call them to book an appointment. They can't tell me how long I will have to wait since the waiting list constantly changes (e.g. if people who are worse than I am are referred, I 'move down', likewise if people below me on the list worsen in condition, they will be moved above me)
6-8 weeks for a gp appointment is pretty standard around here. Waiting lists to see a consultant can be around a year, judging by how long friends have had to wait. They can't say which hospital I will be treated at as you get sent to the first one in the area that has a 'gap' - unless you specify a particular hospital, in which case, you may have to wait longer to be seen.