Surgeons warn NHS capacity remains the real risk as waiting times target approaches
16 Apr 2026
With data due to be published next month revealing whether the NHS has met the interim target of 65% of patients starting treatment within 18 weeks by March 2026, the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) has warned that progress on NHS waiting times remains fragile without sustained investment in surgical capacity.
The latest NHS consultant‑led referral‑to‑treatment (RTT) waiting times data for February 2026, published today, shows that the target could be narrowly missed, with the total patient pathways being treated within the timeframe rising to 62.6%. This represents a 1.1% increase in patient pathways starting treatment within 18 weeks from last month’s figures.
The recent progress in reducing waiting times will be welcome for patients, but as the NHS approaches a critical test of its performance commitments, the focus must now be on whether the system has the capacity needed to continue to deliver sustained improvement.
Commenting on the figures, Professor Frank Smith, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said:
“NHS staff have worked relentlessly under intense pressure to bring down waiting lists, and patients will welcome any sign that things are moving in the right direction. But with data suggesting the 65% target could be narrowly missed, it is clear just how fragile this progress remains.
“As the government’s March 2026 deadline approaches, we must ask whether the system has the capacity needed to turn short-term gains into lasting improvement.
“Surgeons across England continue to report significant barriers to getting patients treated on time - from crumbling hospital buildings and too few operating theatres to shortages of beds and staff. Our most recent workforce census found that limited access to theatres remains a major constraint on surgical activity, even where workforce ambition exists.
“If ministers are serious about meeting their own waiting time commitments, they must back the NHS with long-term investment in more beds, more theatres, and more staff.”
RCS England has consistently warned that efforts to bring down waiting times will stall without action to modernise NHS estates, expand surgical capacity and support the workforce delivering care.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. Latest NHS England RTT data is available at: Statistics » Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times Data 2025-26
2. The total waiting list stood at 7.2 million in February 2026.
3. UK Surgical Workforce Census — Royal College of Surgeons
4. The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research, and championing the best outcomes for patients.
5. For more information, please contact the press office: telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6060; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.
The latest NHS consultant‑led referral‑to‑treatment (RTT) waiting times data for February 2026, published today, shows that the target could be narrowly missed, with the total patient pathways being treated within the timeframe rising to 62.6%. This represents a 1.1% increase in patient pathways starting treatment within 18 weeks from last month’s figures.
The recent progress in reducing waiting times will be welcome for patients, but as the NHS approaches a critical test of its performance commitments, the focus must now be on whether the system has the capacity needed to continue to deliver sustained improvement.
Commenting on the figures, Professor Frank Smith, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said:
“NHS staff have worked relentlessly under intense pressure to bring down waiting lists, and patients will welcome any sign that things are moving in the right direction. But with data suggesting the 65% target could be narrowly missed, it is clear just how fragile this progress remains.
“As the government’s March 2026 deadline approaches, we must ask whether the system has the capacity needed to turn short-term gains into lasting improvement.
“Surgeons across England continue to report significant barriers to getting patients treated on time - from crumbling hospital buildings and too few operating theatres to shortages of beds and staff. Our most recent workforce census found that limited access to theatres remains a major constraint on surgical activity, even where workforce ambition exists.
“If ministers are serious about meeting their own waiting time commitments, they must back the NHS with long-term investment in more beds, more theatres, and more staff.”
RCS England has consistently warned that efforts to bring down waiting times will stall without action to modernise NHS estates, expand surgical capacity and support the workforce delivering care.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. Latest NHS England RTT data is available at: Statistics » Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times Data 2025-26
2. The total waiting list stood at 7.2 million in February 2026.
3. UK Surgical Workforce Census — Royal College of Surgeons
4. The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research, and championing the best outcomes for patients.
5. For more information, please contact the press office: telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6060; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.