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NHS Performance

Waiting lists, A&E, ambulance response times, cancer treatment and GP appointments in England.

Latest figures

Treatment waiting list
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Waiting over a year
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A&E within 4 hours
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Cancer treatment within 62 days
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Referral to Treatment (RTT) Waiting Times

How many treatment pathways are waiting, and for how long.

NHS Waiting List

Total pathways waiting for treatment (England)
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Notes

The NHS waiting list in England stood at 7.37 million pathways in August 2026, up from 7.33 million in July but down from the record 7.77 million of September 2023. Around 6.24 million individual patients were waiting, since one person can sit on the list more than once. February 2024 uses the revised NHS England monthly release. A reporting change moved some community paediatric pathways out of this series that month.

View data: NHS Waiting List
NHS Waiting List · Total pathways waiting for treatment (England)
MonthWaiting list
Aug 20074,186,974 pathways
Sep 20073,997,551 pathways
Oct 20073,939,821 pathways
Nov 20073,921,962 pathways
Dec 20073,861,337 pathways
Jan 20083,510,437 pathways
Feb 20083,116,073 pathways
Mar 20083,056,710 pathways
Apr 20082,940,270 pathways
May 20082,871,949 pathways
Jun 20082,743,336 pathways
Jul 20082,650,711 pathways
Aug 20082,675,732 pathways
Sep 20082,633,591 pathways
Oct 20082,474,846 pathways
Nov 20082,432,758 pathways
Dec 20082,345,732 pathways
Jan 20092,342,439 pathways
Feb 20092,349,456 pathways
Mar 20092,399,587 pathways
Apr 20092,457,080 pathways
May 20092,484,035 pathways
Jun 20092,521,825 pathways
Jul 20092,520,700 pathways
Aug 20092,499,083 pathways
Sep 20092,467,826 pathways
Oct 20092,438,999 pathways
Nov 20092,370,996 pathways
Dec 20092,365,316 pathways
Jan 20102,315,060 pathways
Feb 20102,337,647 pathways
Mar 20102,420,525 pathways
Apr 20102,534,885 pathways
May 20102,603,934 pathways
Jun 20102,638,728 pathways
Jul 20102,686,653 pathways
Aug 20102,684,939 pathways
Sep 20102,621,009 pathways
Oct 20102,598,209 pathways
Nov 20102,553,182 pathways
Dec 20102,456,122 pathways
Jan 20112,414,414 pathways
Feb 20112,461,929 pathways
Mar 20112,475,618 pathways
Apr 20112,509,990 pathways
May 20112,580,472 pathways
Jun 20112,570,914 pathways
Jul 20112,611,906 pathways
Aug 20112,614,998 pathways
Sep 20112,597,388 pathways
Oct 20112,567,505 pathways
Nov 20112,500,701 pathways
Dec 20112,415,130 pathways
Jan 20122,388,599 pathways
Feb 20122,411,155 pathways
Mar 20122,443,952 pathways
Apr 20122,510,647 pathways
May 20122,586,681 pathways
Jun 20122,642,912 pathways
Jul 20122,681,884 pathways
Aug 20122,680,458 pathways
Sep 20122,684,993 pathways
Oct 20122,697,102 pathways
Nov 20122,651,013 pathways
Dec 20122,625,402 pathways
Jan 20132,597,806 pathways
Feb 20132,632,269 pathways
Mar 20132,677,497 pathways
Apr 20132,748,808 pathways
May 20132,847,373 pathways
Jun 20132,879,204 pathways
Jul 20132,906,489 pathways
Aug 20132,936,981 pathways
Sep 20132,918,177 pathways
Oct 20132,951,496 pathways
Nov 20132,918,382 pathways
Dec 20132,940,064 pathways
Jan 20142,965,239 pathways
Feb 20143,012,253 pathways
Mar 20143,052,280 pathways
Apr 20143,119,809 pathways
May 20143,196,627 pathways
Jun 20143,220,933 pathways
Jul 20143,228,040 pathways
Aug 20143,248,315 pathways
Sep 20143,224,605 pathways
Oct 20143,239,274 pathways
Nov 20143,223,626 pathways
Dec 20143,174,814 pathways
Jan 20153,141,683 pathways
Feb 20153,145,851 pathways
Mar 20153,209,293 pathways
Apr 20153,285,295 pathways
May 20153,392,565 pathways
Jun 20153,409,991 pathways
Jul 20153,472,440 pathways
Aug 20153,512,477 pathways
Sep 20153,491,314 pathways
Oct 20153,532,814 pathways
Nov 20153,525,414 pathways
Dec 20153,529,514 pathways
Jan 20163,524,702 pathways
Feb 20163,579,523 pathways
Mar 20163,675,298 pathways
Apr 20163,786,160 pathways
May 20163,841,761 pathways
Jun 20163,847,673 pathways
Jul 20163,884,464 pathways
Aug 20163,911,383 pathways
Sep 20163,922,359 pathways
Oct 20163,903,768 pathways
Nov 20163,858,276 pathways
Dec 20163,833,822 pathways
Jan 20173,792,730 pathways
Feb 20173,826,696 pathways
Mar 20173,897,530 pathways
Apr 20173,945,154 pathways
May 20173,973,736 pathways
Jun 20174,012,911 pathways
Jul 20174,030,998 pathways
Aug 20174,066,143 pathways
Sep 20174,071,101 pathways
Oct 20174,065,855 pathways
Nov 20174,020,625 pathways
Dec 20173,995,928 pathways
Jan 20183,983,956 pathways
Feb 20184,014,118 pathways
Mar 20184,102,999 pathways
Apr 20184,194,514 pathways
May 20184,277,422 pathways
Jun 20184,309,865 pathways
Jul 20184,322,746 pathways
Aug 20184,350,817 pathways
Sep 20184,322,186 pathways
Oct 20184,340,067 pathways
Nov 20184,307,771 pathways
Dec 20184,284,808 pathways
Jan 20194,268,656 pathways
Feb 20194,306,057 pathways
Mar 20194,345,467 pathways
Apr 20194,409,624 pathways
May 20194,497,746 pathways
Jun 20194,507,299 pathways
Jul 20194,522,895 pathways
Aug 20194,558,291 pathways
Sep 20194,567,210 pathways
Oct 20194,595,183 pathways
Nov 20194,563,805 pathways
Dec 20194,565,238 pathways
Jan 20204,566,021 pathways
Feb 20204,573,675 pathways
Mar 20204,386,297 pathways
Apr 20204,051,288 pathways
May 20203,950,230 pathways
Jun 20203,964,304 pathways
Jul 20204,121,693 pathways
Aug 20204,286,068 pathways
Sep 20204,420,837 pathways
Oct 20204,514,810 pathways
Nov 20204,526,665 pathways
Dec 20204,587,286 pathways
Jan 20214,658,628 pathways
Feb 20214,764,301 pathways
Mar 20214,950,297 pathways
Apr 20215,123,717 pathways
May 20215,305,425 pathways
Jun 20215,453,486 pathways
Jul 20215,607,574 pathways
Aug 20215,740,749 pathways
Sep 20215,860,046 pathways
Oct 20215,977,537 pathways
Nov 20216,001,676 pathways
Dec 20216,071,293 pathways
Jan 20226,127,993 pathways
Feb 20226,211,131 pathways
Mar 20226,365,772 pathways
Apr 20226,527,149 pathways
May 20226,668,099 pathways
Jun 20226,790,084 pathways
Jul 20226,937,525 pathways
Aug 20227,072,791 pathways
Sep 20227,141,950 pathways
Oct 20227,214,182 pathways
Nov 20227,187,948 pathways
Dec 20227,200,033 pathways
Jan 20237,213,120 pathways
Feb 20237,217,871 pathways
Mar 20237,331,186 pathways
Apr 20237,415,352 pathways
May 20237,475,194 pathways
Jun 20237,574,649 pathways
Jul 20237,674,305 pathways
Aug 20237,745,784 pathways
Sep 20237,768,573 pathways
Oct 20237,703,867 pathways
Nov 20237,613,842 pathways
Dec 20237,607,585 pathways
Jan 20247,575,914 pathways
Feb 20247,536,907 pathways
Mar 20247,538,830 pathways
Apr 20247,570,371 pathways
May 20247,601,650 pathways
Jun 20247,621,297 pathways
Jul 20247,623,081 pathways
Aug 20247,641,774 pathways
Sep 20247,571,549 pathways
Oct 20247,541,371 pathways
Nov 20247,479,867 pathways
Dec 20247,463,085 pathways
Jan 20257,427,669 pathways
Feb 20257,401,153 pathways
Mar 20257,418,598 pathways
Apr 20257,389,065 pathways
May 20257,355,950 pathways
Jun 20257,367,836 pathways
Jul 20257,390,279 pathways
Aug 20257,403,612 pathways
Sep 20257,388,149 pathways
Oct 20257,395,445 pathways
Nov 20257,308,928 pathways
Dec 20257,290,880 pathways
Jan 20267,247,214 pathways
Feb 20267,216,208 pathways
Mar 20267,106,091 pathways
Apr 20267,218,231 pathways
May 20267,278,384 pathways
Jun 20267,272,291 pathways
Jul 20267,328,252 pathways
Aug 20267,370,100 pathways
Conservative
Labour
View source

NHS Waiting List by Specialty

Top 10 specialties by pathways waiting (England)
Aug 2026
Loading specialty data…
Notes

The waiting list by specialty in August 2026. Trauma and orthopaedics, which covers operations such as hip and knee replacements, has the longest queue at 843,000 pathways, followed by eye care, ear, nose and throat, and gynaecology. A further 1.6 million pathways sit in broad 'other' groupings not shown here.

View source

Patients Waiting Over 18 Weeks

Share waiting over 18 weeks · target 8%
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Notes

In August 2026, 34.8% of pathways had been waiting more than 18 weeks. The NHS Constitution standard is that no more than 8% should be (92% within 18 weeks). It was last met in September 2015, when the figure was 7.7%, or in February 2016 on figures that leave out estimates for trusts that did not report. It peaked at 52.7% in July 2020.

View data: Patients Waiting Over 18 Weeks
Patients Waiting Over 18 Weeks · Share waiting over 18 weeks · target 8%
Month% >18wTarget (8%)
Aug 200742.8%8%
Sep 200740.9%8%
Oct 200740.7%8%
Nov 200742.1%8%
Dec 200743.5%8%
Jan 200838.7%8%
Feb 200835%8%
Mar 200834%8%
Apr 200830.6%8%
May 200826.8%8%
Jun 200822.5%8%
Jul 200818.8%8%
Aug 200819.5%8%
Sep 200817.9%8%
Oct 200815%8%
Nov 200814.4%8%
Dec 200814.8%8%
Jan 200914.9%8%
Feb 200913.2%8%
Mar 200912.8%8%
Apr 200910.8%8%
May 200910.7%8%
Jun 20099.9%8%
Jul 200910.1%8%
Aug 200910.2%8%
Sep 200910.2%8%
Oct 200910.1%8%
Nov 20099.9%8%
Dec 200910%8%
Jan 201010.4%8%
Feb 20109.7%8%
Mar 20108.9%8%
Apr 20108.7%8%
May 20108.1%8%
Jun 20108.6%8%
Jul 20109.1%8%
Aug 20109.9%8%
Sep 20109.6%8%
Oct 20109.7%8%
Nov 201010%8%
Dec 201011.4%8%
Jan 201111.6%8%
Feb 201111.3%8%
Mar 201110.5%8%
Apr 20119.7%8%
May 20119.1%8%
Jun 20118.9%8%
Jul 20119.5%8%
Aug 20119.4%8%
Sep 20119.4%8%
Oct 20119.1%8%
Nov 20118.7%8%
Dec 20118.7%8%
Jan 20127.9%8%
Feb 20127.5%8%
Mar 20126.8%8%
Apr 20126%8%
May 20125.7%8%
Jun 20125.9%8%
Jul 20126%8%
Aug 20126%8%
Sep 20126.2%8%
Oct 20125.8%8%
Nov 20125.8%8%
Dec 20126.1%8%
Jan 20136.2%8%
Feb 20136.3%8%
Mar 20135.8%8%
Apr 20135.5%8%
May 20135.2%8%
Jun 20135.4%8%
Jul 20135.6%8%
Aug 20135.8%8%
Sep 20135.9%8%
Oct 20135.9%8%
Nov 20136.1%8%
Dec 20136.5%8%
Jan 20146.6%8%
Feb 20146.7%8%
Mar 20146.4%8%
Apr 20146.4%8%
May 20146.4%8%
Jun 20146.4%8%
Jul 20146.8%8%
Aug 20147%8%
Sep 20146.9%8%
Oct 20147.1%8%
Nov 20147%8%
Dec 20147.4%8%
Jan 20157.7%8%
Feb 20157.2%8%
Mar 20157.1%8%
Apr 20157%8%
May 20156.8%8%
Jun 20157%8%
Jul 20157.4%8%
Aug 20157.6%8%
Sep 20157.7%8%
Oct 20158.1%8%
Nov 20158%8%
Dec 20158.6%8%
Jan 20168.5%8%
Feb 20168.3%8%
Mar 20168.9%8%
Apr 20168.8%8%
May 20168.6%8%
Jun 20168.9%8%
Jul 20169.1%8%
Aug 20169.5%8%
Sep 20169.8%8%
Oct 20169.7%8%
Nov 20169.7%8%
Dec 201610.5%8%
Jan 201710.2%8%
Feb 201710.2%8%
Mar 20179.9%8%
Apr 201710.2%8%
May 20179.7%8%
Jun 20179.9%8%
Jul 201710.3%8%
Aug 201710.7%8%
Sep 201711%8%
Oct 201710.9%8%
Nov 201710.8%8%
Dec 201711.9%8%
Jan 201812.1%8%
Feb 201812.4%8%
Mar 201813%8%
Apr 201812.6%8%
May 201812%8%
Jun 201812.3%8%
Jul 201812.4%8%
Aug 201812.9%8%
Sep 201813.4%8%
Oct 201813%8%
Nov 201812.8%8%
Dec 201813.5%8%
Jan 201913.4%8%
Feb 201913.4%8%
Mar 201913.7%8%
Apr 201913.8%8%
May 201913.5%8%
Jun 201914%8%
Jul 201914.5%8%
Aug 201915.3%8%
Sep 201915.5%8%
Oct 201915.6%8%
Nov 201915.9%8%
Dec 201916.6%8%
Jan 202016.8%8%
Feb 202017.1%8%
Mar 202020.5%8%
Apr 202028.6%8%
May 202037.4%8%
Jun 202047.3%8%
Jul 202052.7%8%
Aug 202046.1%8%
Sep 202039.2%8%
Oct 202034.4%8%
Nov 202031.7%8%
Dec 202032.1%8%
Jan 202133.7%8%
Feb 202135.4%8%
Mar 202135.6%8%
Apr 202135.4%8%
May 202132.6%8%
Jun 202131.3%8%
Jul 202131.7%8%
Aug 202132.4%8%
Sep 202133.6%8%
Oct 202134.4%8%
Nov 202134.5%8%
Dec 202136.1%8%
Jan 202237.6%8%
Feb 202237.8%8%
Mar 202237.8%8%
Apr 202238.3%8%
May 202236.4%8%
Jun 202237.7%8%
Jul 202238.9%8%
Aug 202239.2%8%
Sep 202240.6%8%
Oct 202240.3%8%
Nov 202240.4%8%
Dec 202242.4%8%
Jan 202341.7%8%
Feb 202341.5%8%
Mar 202341.4%8%
Apr 202341.7%8%
May 202340.5%8%
Jun 202340.8%8%
Jul 202341.4%8%
Aug 202342%8%
Sep 202342.4%8%
Oct 202341.8%8%
Nov 202341.7%8%
Dec 202343.4%8%
Jan 202443%8%
Feb 202442.4%8%
Mar 202442.8%8%
Apr 202441.8%8%
May 202440.9%8%
Jun 202441.1%8%
Jul 202441.2%8%
Aug 202441.7%8%
Sep 202441.5%8%
Oct 202441.1%8%
Nov 202440.8%8%
Dec 202441.1%8%
Jan 202541.1%8%
Feb 202540.8%8%
Mar 202540.2%8%
Apr 202540.3%8%
May 202539.1%8%
Jun 202538.5%8%
Jul 202538.7%8%
Aug 202539%8%
Sep 202538.2%8%
Oct 202538.2%8%
Nov 202538.2%8%
Dec 202538.5%8%
Jan 202638.5%8%
Feb 202637.4%8%
Mar 202634.7%8%
Apr 202635%8%
May 202634.4%8%
Jun 202634.2%8%
Jul 202634.6%8%
Aug 202634.8%8%
Conservative
Labour
View source

Patients Waiting Over 52 Weeks

Number of pathways waiting over a year for treatment
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Notes

In August 2026, 113,000 pathways had been waiting more than a year, down from a post-pandemic peak of 436,000 in March 2021. The number fell to 94,000 in March 2026, the lowest since July 2020, but has risen every month since.

View data: Patients Waiting Over 52 Weeks
Patients Waiting Over 52 Weeks · Number of pathways waiting over a year for treatment
Month>52w waiters
Aug 2007578,682 pathways
Sep 2007401,725 pathways
Oct 2007387,161 pathways
Nov 2007415,215 pathways
Dec 2007434,188 pathways
Jan 2008306,034 pathways
Feb 2008253,955 pathways
Mar 2008240,689 pathways
Apr 2008225,860 pathways
May 2008187,394 pathways
Jun 2008149,029 pathways
Jul 2008118,872 pathways
Aug 2008140,727 pathways
Sep 2008144,213 pathways
Oct 200883,601 pathways
Nov 200893,080 pathways
Dec 200879,418 pathways
Jan 200983,640 pathways
Feb 200952,086 pathways
Mar 200948,421 pathways
Apr 200933,208 pathways
May 200932,473 pathways
Jun 200933,036 pathways
Jul 200933,971 pathways
Aug 200933,016 pathways
Sep 200933,164 pathways
Oct 200925,017 pathways
Nov 200921,667 pathways
Dec 200920,792 pathways
Jan 201020,737 pathways
Feb 201018,681 pathways
Mar 201018,494 pathways
Apr 201021,109 pathways
May 201018,492 pathways
Jun 201018,342 pathways
Jul 201019,619 pathways
Aug 201020,889 pathways
Sep 201013,476 pathways
Oct 201014,265 pathways
Nov 201013,579 pathways
Dec 201014,748 pathways
Jan 201114,299 pathways
Feb 201114,884 pathways
Mar 201114,359 pathways
Apr 201114,970 pathways
May 201114,072 pathways
Jun 201113,261 pathways
Jul 201119,937 pathways
Aug 201119,938 pathways
Sep 201120,097 pathways
Oct 201111,132 pathways
Nov 20117,324 pathways
Dec 20116,315 pathways
Jan 20126,142 pathways
Feb 20125,897 pathways
Mar 20125,393 pathways
Apr 20124,457 pathways
May 20123,552 pathways
Jun 20123,503 pathways
Jul 20122,959 pathways
Aug 20122,352 pathways
Sep 20121,868 pathways
Oct 20121,580 pathways
Nov 20121,446 pathways
Dec 20121,384 pathways
Jan 20131,141 pathways
Feb 2013962 pathways
Mar 2013474 pathways
Apr 2013391 pathways
May 2013434 pathways
Jun 2013295 pathways
Jul 2013368 pathways
Aug 2013350 pathways
Sep 2013409 pathways
Oct 2013461 pathways
Nov 2013418 pathways
Dec 2013520 pathways
Jan 2014634 pathways
Feb 2014743 pathways
Mar 2014692 pathways
Apr 2014720 pathways
May 2014776 pathways
Jun 2014776 pathways
Jul 2014730 pathways
Aug 2014688 pathways
Sep 2014646 pathways
Oct 2014665 pathways
Nov 2014646 pathways
Dec 2014684 pathways
Jan 2015725 pathways
Feb 2015727 pathways
Mar 2015751 pathways
Apr 2015713 pathways
May 2015752 pathways
Jun 2015868 pathways
Jul 2015903 pathways
Aug 2015855 pathways
Sep 2015872 pathways
Oct 2015987 pathways
Nov 2015954 pathways
Dec 2015934 pathways
Jan 2016904 pathways
Feb 2016868 pathways
Mar 20161,024 pathways
Apr 20161,039 pathways
May 20161,162 pathways
Jun 20161,099 pathways
Jul 20161,234 pathways
Aug 20161,219 pathways
Sep 20161,342 pathways
Oct 20161,576 pathways
Nov 20161,382 pathways
Dec 20161,377 pathways
Jan 20171,495 pathways
Feb 20171,676 pathways
Mar 20171,621 pathways
Apr 20171,661 pathways
May 20171,744 pathways
Jun 20171,743 pathways
Jul 20171,843 pathways
Aug 20171,935 pathways
Sep 20171,980 pathways
Oct 20171,728 pathways
Nov 20171,671 pathways
Dec 20171,842 pathways
Jan 20182,119 pathways
Feb 20182,485 pathways
Mar 20183,006 pathways
Apr 20183,044 pathways
May 20183,264 pathways
Jun 20183,680 pathways
Jul 20183,628 pathways
Aug 20183,569 pathways
Sep 20183,321 pathways
Oct 20182,978 pathways
Nov 20182,594 pathways
Dec 20182,400 pathways
Jan 20192,328 pathways
Feb 20192,188 pathways
Mar 20191,377 pathways
Apr 20191,270 pathways
May 20191,255 pathways
Jun 20191,312 pathways
Jul 20191,264 pathways
Aug 20191,468 pathways
Sep 20191,537 pathways
Oct 20191,553 pathways
Nov 20191,630 pathways
Dec 20191,699 pathways
Jan 20201,875 pathways
Feb 20201,845 pathways
Mar 20203,329 pathways
Apr 202011,255 pathways
May 202026,793 pathways
Jun 202050,615 pathways
Jul 202083,290 pathways
Aug 2020111,093 pathways
Sep 2020139,612 pathways
Oct 2020167,134 pathways
Nov 2020192,236 pathways
Dec 2020224,272 pathways
Jan 2021304,111 pathways
Feb 2021387,952 pathways
Mar 2021436,127 pathways
Apr 2021385,379 pathways
May 2021336,779 pathways
Jun 2021304,823 pathways
Jul 2021293,102 pathways
Aug 2021295,362 pathways
Sep 2021304,498 pathways
Oct 2021312,852 pathways
Nov 2021307,214 pathways
Dec 2021310,943 pathways
Jan 2022317,491 pathways
Feb 2022306,479 pathways
Mar 2022310,067 pathways
Apr 2022324,422 pathways
May 2022333,303 pathways
Jun 2022357,761 pathways
Jul 2022381,384 pathways
Aug 2022390,852 pathways
Sep 2022405,209 pathways
Oct 2022411,274 pathways
Nov 2022406,799 pathways
Dec 2022405,930 pathways
Jan 2023379,145 pathways
Feb 2023362,434 pathways
Mar 2023359,078 pathways
Apr 2023371,111 pathways
May 2023385,027 pathways
Jun 2023383,083 pathways
Jul 2023388,505 pathways
Aug 2023395,170 pathways
Sep 2023391,107 pathways
Oct 2023377,315 pathways
Nov 2023355,712 pathways
Dec 2023338,070 pathways
Jan 2024321,394 pathways
Feb 2024304,919 pathways
Mar 2024309,299 pathways
Apr 2024302,589 pathways
May 2024307,500 pathways
Jun 2024302,693 pathways
Jul 2024290,326 pathways
Aug 2024282,664 pathways
Sep 2024249,024 pathways
Oct 2024234,914 pathways
Nov 2024221,567 pathways
Dec 2024200,402 pathways
Jan 2025198,828 pathways
Feb 2025193,525 pathways
Mar 2025180,243 pathways
Apr 2025190,023 pathways
May 2025196,839 pathways
Jun 2025191,755 pathways
Jul 2025191,213 pathways
Aug 2025190,499 pathways
Sep 2025180,329 pathways
Oct 2025172,556 pathways
Nov 2025156,483 pathways
Dec 2025140,508 pathways
Jan 2026135,657 pathways
Feb 2026122,668 pathways
Mar 202694,404 pathways
Apr 202699,781 pathways
May 2026104,734 pathways
Jun 2026105,711 pathways
Jul 2026111,379 pathways
Aug 2026113,339 pathways
Conservative
Labour
View source

A&E & Emergency Care

A&E performance and monthly attendances in England.

A&E Seen Within 4 Hours

Percent of A&E attendances seen within 4 hours, target: 95%
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Notes

74.4% of A&E patients were seen within four hours in September 2026, against the 95% standard, which was last met in July 2015. Performance bottomed out at 65.2% in December 2022 and has recovered slowly since.

View data: A&E Seen Within 4 Hours
A&E Seen Within 4 Hours · Percent of A&E attendances seen within 4 hours, target: 95%
Month4hr performance95% target
Nov 201097.2%95%
Dec 201094.8%95%
Jan 201195.8%95%
Feb 201197.1%95%
Mar 201196.8%95%
Apr 201196.9%95%
May 201197.1%95%
Jun 201197.1%95%
Jul 201197.6%95%
Aug 201197.4%95%
Sep 201196.9%95%
Oct 201196.6%95%
Nov 201196.6%95%
Dec 201195.8%95%
Jan 201295.8%95%
Feb 201295%95%
Mar 201296.5%95%
Apr 201296.4%95%
May 201296.8%95%
Jun 201296.7%95%
Jul 201297.1%95%
Aug 201297%95%
Sep 201296.7%95%
Oct 201296.2%95%
Nov 201296%95%
Dec 201294.7%95%
Jan 201394.5%95%
Feb 201394.3%95%
Mar 201393.5%95%
Apr 201393.4%95%
May 201396.6%95%
Jun 201396.9%95%
Jul 201396.7%95%
Aug 201396.3%95%
Sep 201395.8%95%
Oct 201395.7%95%
Nov 201395.9%95%
Dec 201395.3%95%
Jan 201495.2%95%
Feb 201494.6%95%
Mar 201495.6%95%
Apr 201495.3%95%
May 201494.8%95%
Jun 201495.2%95%
Jul 201495.2%95%
Aug 201495.1%95%
Sep 201494.6%95%
Oct 201493.7%95%
Nov 201493.5%95%
Dec 201489.9%95%
Jan 201591.2%95%
Feb 201592%95%
Mar 201592.7%95%
Apr 201593.3%95%
May 201594.3%95%
Jun 201594.8%95%
Jul 201595%95%
Aug 201594.3%95%
Sep 201593.4%95%
Oct 201592.3%95%
Nov 201591.3%95%
Dec 201591%95%
Jan 201688.7%95%
Feb 201687.8%95%
Mar 201687.3%95%
Apr 201690%95%
May 201690.3%95%
Jun 201690.6%95%
Jul 201690.3%95%
Aug 201691%95%
Sep 201690.6%95%
Oct 201689.1%95%
Nov 201688.4%95%
Dec 201686.2%95%
Jan 201785.1%95%
Feb 201787.5%95%
Mar 201790%95%
Apr 201790.5%95%
May 201789.7%95%
Jun 201790.7%95%
Jul 201790.3%95%
Aug 201790.3%95%
Sep 201789.7%95%
Oct 201789.9%95%
Nov 201788.8%95%
Dec 201785%95%
Jan 201885.3%95%
Feb 201885%95%
Mar 201884.6%95%
Apr 201888.6%95%
May 201890.4%95%
Jun 201890.8%95%
Jul 201889.3%95%
Aug 201889.7%95%
Sep 201888.9%95%
Oct 201889%95%
Nov 201887.6%95%
Dec 201886.4%95%
Jan 201984.4%95%
Feb 201984.2%95%
Mar 201986.6%95%
Apr 201985.1%95%
May 201986.6%95%
Jun 201986.4%95%
Jul 201986.5%95%
Aug 201986.3%95%
Sep 201985.2%95%
Oct 201983.6%95%
Nov 201981.4%95%
Dec 201979.8%95%
Jan 202081.7%95%
Feb 202082.8%95%
Mar 202084.3%95%
Apr 202090.4%95%
May 202093.5%95%
Jun 202092.8%95%
Jul 202092%95%
Aug 202089.2%95%
Sep 202087.3%95%
Oct 202084.4%95%
Nov 202083.8%95%
Dec 202080.3%95%
Jan 202178.5%95%
Feb 202183.9%95%
Mar 202186.1%95%
Apr 202185.4%95%
May 202183.7%95%
Jun 202181.3%95%
Jul 202177.7%95%
Aug 202177%95%
Sep 202175.2%95%
Oct 202173.9%95%
Nov 202174.1%95%
Dec 202173.4%95%
Jan 202274.3%95%
Feb 202273.3%95%
Mar 202271.6%95%
Apr 202272.2%95%
May 202272.8%95%
Jun 202272.1%95%
Jul 202271.1%95%
Aug 202271.7%95%
Sep 202271.1%95%
Oct 202269.5%95%
Nov 202269%95%
Dec 202265.2%95%
Jan 202372.5%95%
Feb 202371.5%95%
Mar 202371.5%95%
Apr 202374.6%95%
May 202374%95%
Jun 202373.4%95%
Jul 202374%95%
Aug 202373%95%
Sep 202371.7%95%
Oct 202370.3%95%
Nov 202369.8%95%
Dec 202369.5%95%
Jan 202470.4%95%
Feb 202471%95%
Mar 202474.3%95%
Apr 202474.5%95%
May 202474%95%
Jun 202474.6%95%
Jul 202475.2%95%
Aug 202476.3%95%
Sep 202474.2%95%
Oct 202473.1%95%
Nov 202472.2%95%
Dec 202471.1%95%
Jan 202573%95%
Feb 202573.5%95%
Mar 202575%95%
Apr 202574.8%95%
May 202575.4%95%
Jun 202575.6%95%
Jul 202576.4%95%
Aug 202575.9%95%
Sep 202575.1%95%
Oct 202574.2%95%
Nov 202574.2%95%
Dec 202573.8%95%
Jan 202672.5%95%
Feb 202674.1%95%
Mar 202677.1%95%
Apr 202676.9%95%
May 202675.7%95%
Jun 202675%95%
Jul 202675.4%95%
Aug 202675%95%
Sep 202674.4%95%
Conservative
Labour
View source

Total A&E Attendances

Monthly A&E attendances, England only
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Notes

A&E attendances in England reached 27.8 million in 2025, consistently more than two million a month.

View data: Total A&E Attendances
Total A&E Attendances · Monthly A&E attendances, England only
MonthAttendances
Nov 20101,651 thousand attendances
Dec 20101,738 thousand attendances
Jan 20111,728 thousand attendances
Feb 20111,599 thousand attendances
Mar 20111,863 thousand attendances
Apr 20111,844 thousand attendances
May 20111,874 thousand attendances
Jun 20111,785 thousand attendances
Jul 20111,865 thousand attendances
Aug 20111,758 thousand attendances
Sep 20111,781 thousand attendances
Oct 20111,849 thousand attendances
Nov 20111,741 thousand attendances
Dec 20111,732 thousand attendances
Jan 20121,738 thousand attendances
Feb 20121,704 thousand attendances
Mar 20121,933 thousand attendances
Apr 20121,770 thousand attendances
May 20121,930 thousand attendances
Jun 20121,888 thousand attendances
Jul 20121,925 thousand attendances
Aug 20121,845 thousand attendances
Sep 20121,788 thousand attendances
Oct 20121,832 thousand attendances
Nov 20121,756 thousand attendances
Dec 20121,822 thousand attendances
Jan 20131,733 thousand attendances
Feb 20131,649 thousand attendances
Mar 20131,865 thousand attendances
Apr 20131,831 thousand attendances
May 20131,892 thousand attendances
Jun 20131,831 thousand attendances
Jul 20131,976 thousand attendances
Aug 20131,841 thousand attendances
Sep 20131,769 thousand attendances
Oct 20131,829 thousand attendances
Nov 20131,733 thousand attendances
Dec 20131,782 thousand attendances
Jan 20141,740 thousand attendances
Feb 20141,662 thousand attendances
Mar 20141,957 thousand attendances
Apr 20141,878 thousand attendances
May 20141,978 thousand attendances
Jun 20141,942 thousand attendances
Jul 20141,994 thousand attendances
Aug 20141,817 thousand attendances
Sep 20141,853 thousand attendances
Oct 20141,892 thousand attendances
Nov 20141,830 thousand attendances
Dec 20141,901 thousand attendances
Jan 20151,732 thousand attendances
Feb 20151,655 thousand attendances
Mar 20151,943 thousand attendances
Apr 20151,873 thousand attendances
May 20151,937 thousand attendances
Jun 20151,911 thousand attendances
Jul 20151,953 thousand attendances
Aug 20151,865 thousand attendances
Sep 20151,860 thousand attendances
Oct 20151,923 thousand attendances
Nov 20151,874 thousand attendances
Dec 20151,868 thousand attendances
Jan 20161,907 thousand attendances
Feb 20161,871 thousand attendances
Mar 20162,088 thousand attendances
Apr 20161,868 thousand attendances
May 20162,070 thousand attendances
Jun 20161,959 thousand attendances
Jul 20162,079 thousand attendances
Aug 20161,933 thousand attendances
Sep 20161,952 thousand attendances
Oct 20162,002 thousand attendances
Nov 20161,908 thousand attendances
Dec 20161,945 thousand attendances
Jan 20171,895 thousand attendances
Feb 20171,736 thousand attendances
Mar 20172,016 thousand attendances
Apr 20171,950 thousand attendances
May 20172,067 thousand attendances
Jun 20171,994 thousand attendances
Jul 20172,074 thousand attendances
Aug 20171,925 thousand attendances
Sep 20171,926 thousand attendances
Oct 20172,044 thousand attendances
Nov 20171,977 thousand attendances
Dec 20172,004 thousand attendances
Jan 20182,000 thousand attendances
Feb 20181,820 thousand attendances
Mar 20182,050 thousand attendances
Apr 20181,984 thousand attendances
May 20182,164 thousand attendances
Jun 20182,094 thousand attendances
Jul 20182,180 thousand attendances
Aug 20181,998 thousand attendances
Sep 20182,006 thousand attendances
Oct 20182,079 thousand attendances
Nov 20182,038 thousand attendances
Dec 20182,048 thousand attendances
Jan 20192,113 thousand attendances
Feb 20191,955 thousand attendances
Mar 20192,168 thousand attendances
Apr 20192,112 thousand attendances
May 20192,172 thousand attendances
Jun 20192,108 thousand attendances
Jul 20192,265 thousand attendances
Aug 20192,125 thousand attendances
Sep 20192,123 thousand attendances
Oct 20192,171 thousand attendances
Nov 20192,144 thousand attendances
Dec 20192,181 thousand attendances
Jan 20202,115 thousand attendances
Feb 20201,970 thousand attendances
Mar 20201,532 thousand attendances
Apr 2020917 thousand attendances
May 20201,262 thousand attendances
Jun 20201,411 thousand attendances
Jul 20201,588 thousand attendances
Aug 20201,719 thousand attendances
Sep 20201,694 thousand attendances
Oct 20201,599 thousand attendances
Nov 20201,485 thousand attendances
Dec 20201,475 thousand attendances
Jan 20211,311 thousand attendances
Feb 20211,278 thousand attendances
Mar 20211,691 thousand attendances
Apr 20211,866 thousand attendances
May 20212,076 thousand attendances
Jun 20212,157 thousand attendances
Jul 20212,160 thousand attendances
Aug 20212,036 thousand attendances
Sep 20212,127 thousand attendances
Oct 20212,165 thousand attendances
Nov 20212,038 thousand attendances
Dec 20211,875 thousand attendances
Jan 20221,875 thousand attendances
Feb 20221,825 thousand attendances
Mar 20222,175 thousand attendances
Apr 20222,029 thousand attendances
May 20222,233 thousand attendances
Jun 20222,192 thousand attendances
Jul 20222,182 thousand attendances
Aug 20221,996 thousand attendances
Sep 20222,008 thousand attendances
Oct 20222,188 thousand attendances
Nov 20222,179 thousand attendances
Dec 20222,294 thousand attendances
Jan 20231,968 thousand attendances
Feb 20231,914 thousand attendances
Mar 20232,166 thousand attendances
Apr 20232,034 thousand attendances
May 20232,246 thousand attendances
Jun 20232,226 thousand attendances
Jul 20232,200 thousand attendances
Aug 20232,110 thousand attendances
Sep 20232,170 thousand attendances
Oct 20232,224 thousand attendances
Nov 20232,168 thousand attendances
Dec 20232,185 thousand attendances
Jan 20242,231 thousand attendances
Feb 20242,158 thousand attendances
Mar 20242,370 thousand attendances
Apr 20242,241 thousand attendances
May 20242,416 thousand attendances
Jun 20242,294 thousand attendances
Jul 20242,325 thousand attendances
Aug 20242,161 thousand attendances
Sep 20242,214 thousand attendances
Oct 20242,361 thousand attendances
Nov 20242,315 thousand attendances
Dec 20242,346 thousand attendances
Jan 20252,218 thousand attendances
Feb 20252,088 thousand attendances
Mar 20252,389 thousand attendances
Apr 20252,297 thousand attendances
May 20252,398 thousand attendances
Jun 20252,352 thousand attendances
Jul 20252,409 thousand attendances
Aug 20252,267 thousand attendances
Sep 20252,310 thousand attendances
Oct 20252,401 thousand attendances
Nov 20252,347 thousand attendances
Dec 20252,326 thousand attendances
Jan 20262,319 thousand attendances
Feb 20262,117 thousand attendances
Mar 20262,432 thousand attendances
Apr 20262,345 thousand attendances
May 20262,457 thousand attendances
Jun 20262,438 thousand attendances
Jul 20262,488 thousand attendances
Aug 20262,343 thousand attendances
Sep 20262,445 thousand attendances
Conservative
Labour
View source

GP Appointments

Monthly GP appointments in England.

Monthly GP Appointments

Total appointments recorded by GP practices per month, England only
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Notes

GP practices in England recorded 28.8 million appointments in August 2026, and an average of 31.2 million a month since January 2024. August is usually the quietest month of the year and October the busiest.

View data: Monthly GP Appointments
Monthly GP Appointments · Total appointments recorded by GP practices per month, England only
MonthAppointments
Jan 202432.41 million appointments
Feb 202430.52 million appointments
Mar 202429.51 million appointments
Apr 202430.1 million appointments
May 202430.08 million appointments
Jun 202428.13 million appointments
Jul 202431.2 million appointments
Aug 202427.51 million appointments
Sep 202429.87 million appointments
Oct 202438.52 million appointments
Nov 202431.46 million appointments
Dec 202428.27 million appointments
Jan 202532.98 million appointments
Feb 202529.63 million appointments
Mar 202531.34 million appointments
Apr 202529.25 million appointments
May 202529.13 million appointments
Jun 202530.5 million appointments
Jul 202532.52 million appointments
Aug 202527.19 million appointments
Sep 202532.1 million appointments
Oct 202539.33 million appointments
Nov 202531.15 million appointments
Dec 202530.87 million appointments
Jan 202632.77 million appointments
Feb 202630.87 million appointments
Mar 202634 million appointments
Apr 202631.03 million appointments
May 202629.06 million appointments
Jun 202633.85 million appointments
Jul 202633.94 million appointments
Aug 202628.85 million appointments
Total appointments
View source

Ambulance Response Times

Average response times for the most urgent ambulance calls.

Life-threatening Response Time

Life-threatening calls (Category 1) mean response time, target: 7 min
-
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Notes

The average Category 1 ambulance response, for life-threatening emergencies, was 7 minutes 59 seconds in September 2026, against a 7-minute target. The target was last met in April 2021.

View data: Life-threatening Response Time
Life-threatening Response Time · Life-threatening calls (Category 1) mean response time, target: 7 min
MonthCat 1 meanTarget (7 min)
Aug 20179.2 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20178.1 minutes7 minutes
Oct 20177.9 minutes7 minutes
Nov 20178 minutes7 minutes
Dec 20178.9 minutes7 minutes
Jan 20188.3 minutes7 minutes
Feb 20188.3 minutes7 minutes
Mar 20188.6 minutes7 minutes
Apr 20187.6 minutes7 minutes
May 20187.7 minutes7 minutes
Jun 20187.6 minutes7 minutes
Jul 20187.5 minutes7 minutes
Aug 20187.1 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20187.2 minutes7 minutes
Oct 20187.2 minutes7 minutes
Nov 20187.2 minutes7 minutes
Dec 20187.1 minutes7 minutes
Jan 20197.1 minutes7 minutes
Feb 20197.3 minutes7 minutes
Mar 20197 minutes7 minutes
Apr 20197 minutes7 minutes
May 20196.9 minutes7 minutes
Jun 20197.1 minutes7 minutes
Jul 20197.2 minutes7 minutes
Aug 20197.1 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20197.2 minutes7 minutes
Oct 20197.4 minutes7 minutes
Nov 20197.5 minutes7 minutes
Dec 20197.5 minutes7 minutes
Jan 20207.1 minutes7 minutes
Feb 20207.3 minutes7 minutes
Mar 20208.1 minutes7 minutes
Apr 20207 minutes7 minutes
May 20206.5 minutes7 minutes
Jun 20206.6 minutes7 minutes
Jul 20206.8 minutes7 minutes
Aug 20207.1 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20207.2 minutes7 minutes
Oct 20207.4 minutes7 minutes
Nov 20207.2 minutes7 minutes
Dec 20207.4 minutes7 minutes
Jan 20217.5 minutes7 minutes
Feb 20216.8 minutes7 minutes
Mar 20216.8 minutes7 minutes
Apr 20217 minutes7 minutes
May 20217.4 minutes7 minutes
Jun 20217.9 minutes7 minutes
Jul 20218.6 minutes7 minutes
Aug 20218.5 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20219 minutes7 minutes
Oct 20219.4 minutes7 minutes
Nov 20219.2 minutes7 minutes
Dec 20219.2 minutes7 minutes
Jan 20228.5 minutes7 minutes
Feb 20228.8 minutes7 minutes
Mar 20229.6 minutes7 minutes
Apr 20229 minutes7 minutes
May 20228.6 minutes7 minutes
Jun 20229.1 minutes7 minutes
Jul 20229.6 minutes7 minutes
Aug 20229.1 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20229.3 minutes7 minutes
Oct 20229.9 minutes7 minutes
Nov 20229.4 minutes7 minutes
Dec 202211 minutes7 minutes
Jan 20238.5 minutes7 minutes
Feb 20238.5 minutes7 minutes
Mar 20238.8 minutes7 minutes
Apr 20238.1 minutes7 minutes
May 20238.3 minutes7 minutes
Jun 20238.7 minutes7 minutes
Jul 20238.3 minutes7 minutes
Aug 20238.3 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20238.5 minutes7 minutes
Oct 20238.7 minutes7 minutes
Nov 20238.5 minutes7 minutes
Dec 20238.7 minutes7 minutes
Jan 20248.4 minutes7 minutes
Feb 20248.4 minutes7 minutes
Mar 20248.3 minutes7 minutes
Apr 20248.2 minutes7 minutes
May 20248.3 minutes7 minutes
Jun 20248.3 minutes7 minutes
Jul 20248.2 minutes7 minutes
Aug 20248.1 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20248.4 minutes7 minutes
Oct 20248.6 minutes7 minutes
Nov 20248.6 minutes7 minutes
Dec 20248.7 minutes7 minutes
Jan 20258.3 minutes7 minutes
Feb 20258.1 minutes7 minutes
Mar 20257.9 minutes7 minutes
Apr 20257.7 minutes7 minutes
May 20257.8 minutes7 minutes
Jun 20257.9 minutes7 minutes
Jul 20257.9 minutes7 minutes
Aug 20257.8 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20258 minutes7 minutes
Oct 20258 minutes7 minutes
Nov 20258 minutes7 minutes
Dec 20258 minutes7 minutes
Jan 20268.1 minutes7 minutes
Feb 20267.8 minutes7 minutes
Mar 20267.8 minutes7 minutes
Apr 20267.7 minutes7 minutes
May 20267.9 minutes7 minutes
Jun 20268.1 minutes7 minutes
Jul 20268 minutes7 minutes
Aug 20267.9 minutes7 minutes
Sep 20268 minutes7 minutes
Conservative
Labour
View source

Emergency Response Time

Emergency calls (Category 2) mean response time, target: 18 min
-
Loading…
Notes

The average Category 2 ambulance response, for emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks, was 31 minutes 18 seconds in September 2026, against an 18-minute target last met in July 2020. It peaked at 1 hour 33 minutes in December 2022.

View data: Emergency Response Time
Emergency Response Time · Emergency calls (Category 2) mean response time, target: 18 min
MonthCat 2 meanTarget (18 min)
Aug 201723.9 minutes18 minutes
Sep 201722 minutes18 minutes
Oct 201721.9 minutes18 minutes
Nov 201722.8 minutes18 minutes
Dec 201729.6 minutes18 minutes
Jan 201826.1 minutes18 minutes
Feb 201825.6 minutes18 minutes
Mar 201827.7 minutes18 minutes
Apr 201820.1 minutes18 minutes
May 201821.2 minutes18 minutes
Jun 201821.5 minutes18 minutes
Jul 201822.6 minutes18 minutes
Aug 201820.6 minutes18 minutes
Sep 201821.6 minutes18 minutes
Oct 201821.2 minutes18 minutes
Nov 201821.9 minutes18 minutes
Dec 201822.4 minutes18 minutes
Jan 201923 minutes18 minutes
Feb 201923.6 minutes18 minutes
Mar 201921.2 minutes18 minutes
Apr 201921.5 minutes18 minutes
May 201921 minutes18 minutes
Jun 201922.5 minutes18 minutes
Jul 201923.3 minutes18 minutes
Aug 201921.3 minutes18 minutes
Sep 201922.4 minutes18 minutes
Oct 201923.8 minutes18 minutes
Nov 201925.9 minutes18 minutes
Dec 201927.9 minutes18 minutes
Jan 202020.9 minutes18 minutes
Feb 202022.1 minutes18 minutes
Mar 202032.1 minutes18 minutes
Apr 202018.5 minutes18 minutes
May 202013.5 minutes18 minutes
Jun 202014.9 minutes18 minutes
Jul 202016.7 minutes18 minutes
Aug 202020.1 minutes18 minutes
Sep 202022.6 minutes18 minutes
Oct 202025.4 minutes18 minutes
Nov 202021.3 minutes18 minutes
Dec 202027.9 minutes18 minutes
Jan 202129.6 minutes18 minutes
Feb 202118.3 minutes18 minutes
Mar 202118.4 minutes18 minutes
Apr 202120.3 minutes18 minutes
May 202124.6 minutes18 minutes
Jun 202130.7 minutes18 minutes
Jul 202141.1 minutes18 minutes
Aug 202138.6 minutes18 minutes
Sep 202145.5 minutes18 minutes
Oct 202153.9 minutes18 minutes
Nov 202146.6 minutes18 minutes
Dec 202153.4 minutes18 minutes
Jan 202238.1 minutes18 minutes
Feb 202242.1 minutes18 minutes
Mar 202261.1 minutes18 minutes
Apr 202251.3 minutes18 minutes
May 202239.9 minutes18 minutes
Jun 202251.4 minutes18 minutes
Jul 202258.9 minutes18 minutes
Aug 202242.6 minutes18 minutes
Sep 202248 minutes18 minutes
Oct 202261.3 minutes18 minutes
Nov 202248.2 minutes18 minutes
Dec 202292.9 minutes18 minutes
Jan 202332.1 minutes18 minutes
Feb 202332.3 minutes18 minutes
Mar 202339.5 minutes18 minutes
Apr 202328.6 minutes18 minutes
May 202332.4 minutes18 minutes
Jun 202336.8 minutes18 minutes
Jul 202331.8 minutes18 minutes
Aug 202331.5 minutes18 minutes
Sep 202337.6 minutes18 minutes
Oct 202341.7 minutes18 minutes
Nov 202338.5 minutes18 minutes
Dec 202346 minutes18 minutes
Jan 202440.1 minutes18 minutes
Feb 202436.3 minutes18 minutes
Mar 202433.9 minutes18 minutes
Apr 202430.4 minutes18 minutes
May 202432.7 minutes18 minutes
Jun 202434.6 minutes18 minutes
Jul 202433.4 minutes18 minutes
Aug 202427.4 minutes18 minutes
Sep 202436 minutes18 minutes
Oct 202442.2 minutes18 minutes
Nov 202442.4 minutes18 minutes
Dec 202447.4 minutes18 minutes
Jan 202535.6 minutes18 minutes
Feb 202531.4 minutes18 minutes
Mar 202528.6 minutes18 minutes
Apr 202527.5 minutes18 minutes
May 202527.8 minutes18 minutes
Jun 202529.6 minutes18 minutes
Jul 202528.6 minutes18 minutes
Aug 202527 minutes18 minutes
Sep 202530.8 minutes18 minutes
Oct 202532.6 minutes18 minutes
Nov 202532.8 minutes18 minutes
Dec 202532.7 minutes18 minutes
Jan 202635.1 minutes18 minutes
Feb 202628.9 minutes18 minutes
Mar 202626.3 minutes18 minutes
Apr 202624.4 minutes18 minutes
May 202629.2 minutes18 minutes
Jun 202632.5 minutes18 minutes
Jul 202629.8 minutes18 minutes
Aug 202628.9 minutes18 minutes
Sep 202631.3 minutes18 minutes
Conservative
Labour
View source

Cancer Waiting Times

Treatment within 62 days of an urgent cancer referral.

Cancer Treatment Within 62 Days

Percent treated within 62 days of urgent referral, target: 85%
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Loading…
Notes

In August 2026, 71.9% of cancer patients started treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral, against the 85% standard. The series starts in April 2022, the earliest month NHS England publishes on the combined 62-day standard introduced in October 2023.

View data: Cancer Treatment Within 62 Days
Cancer Treatment Within 62 Days · Percent treated within 62 days of urgent referral, target: 85%
Month62-day performanceTarget (85%)
Apr 202269%85%
May 202265.5%85%
Jun 202264.1%85%
Jul 202265.7%85%
Aug 202265.3%85%
Sep 202264.2%85%
Oct 202264%85%
Nov 202265.1%85%
Dec 202266.3%85%
Jan 202359.3%85%
Feb 202362.5%85%
Mar 202367.5%85%
Apr 202364.9%85%
May 202362.7%85%
Jun 202363.1%85%
Jul 202365.6%85%
Aug 202365.9%85%
Sep 202363.5%85%
Oct 202363.2%85%
Nov 202365.5%85%
Dec 202366.2%85%
Jan 202462.7%85%
Feb 202464.2%85%
Mar 202468.9%85%
Apr 202467%85%
May 202466.2%85%
Jun 202467.9%85%
Jul 202468%85%
Aug 202469.5%85%
Sep 202467.4%85%
Oct 202468.5%85%
Nov 202469.8%85%
Dec 202471.7%85%
Jan 202567.6%85%
Feb 202567.2%85%
Mar 202571.4%85%
Apr 202570.1%85%
May 202568.1%85%
Jun 202567.3%85%
Jul 202569.5%85%
Aug 202569.3%85%
Sep 202568%85%
Oct 202569.1%85%
Nov 202570.5%85%
Dec 202572.1%85%
Jan 202668.6%85%
Feb 202668.9%85%
Mar 202672.9%85%
Apr 202670%85%
May 202669.6%85%
Jun 202669.9%85%
Jul 202671.2%85%
Aug 202671.9%85%
Conservative
Labour
View source
Sources and definitions

All figures come from NHS England's official monthly statistics - referral-to-treatment waiting times, A&E activity, ambulance quality indicators, cancer waiting times and GP appointments - and cover England only, since Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run and report their health services separately. A&E and ambulance figures are published about ten days after the month they cover, waiting list and cancer figures about six weeks after, and all can be revised later.

NHS performance is strongly seasonal: winter reliably brings worse A&E and ambulance figures, and holiday months dent GP appointment volumes. Comparing the same month across years is almost always more informative than comparing consecutive months.

The elective backlog is the defining NHS story of the decade: how many people are waiting for planned hospital care, and how long. These four charts track the total list, where it's concentrated, and the two waits that matter most politically - over 18 weeks and over a year.

Emergency care is where NHS pressure becomes visible first. Rising attendances meeting constrained capacity produce the four-hour breaches, corridor care and winter crises that dominate health coverage.

General practice handles the overwhelming majority of NHS contacts, and how easily people can see a GP shapes public perception of the whole service - as well as demand everywhere else in the system.

Ambulance response standards are among the most safety-critical in the NHS: for cardiac arrests and strokes, minutes translate directly into survival and recovery odds.

Faster diagnosis and treatment measurably improve cancer survival, which is why the referral-to-treatment standards below carry more clinical weight than almost any other NHS target.

Frequently asked questions

How many people are on the NHS waiting list?

Around 6.2 million people are waiting for planned hospital treatment in England, on 7.37 million pathways as at August 2026, down from the record 7.77 million pathways of September 2023.

Has the NHS met its A&E four-hour target?

No. The 95% four-hour A&E target was last met in July 2015. A quarter of A&E patients now wait longer than four hours.

What is the NHS cancer waiting time target?

The target is for 85% of cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral. It has not been met at any point since this series began in April 2022, and in August 2026 nearly three in ten patients waited longer.

What are the ambulance response categories?

Category 1 is for life-threatening emergencies, with a 7-minute average response target. Category 2 covers serious emergencies such as strokes, with an 18-minute average target. Categories 3 and 4 cover urgent and less urgent calls with longer standards.

Related trackers

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