Government must invest in surgical infrastructure to beat long NHS waits

Surgeons continue to urge the government to invest in surgical capacity and repair crumbling NHS estates to help bring down long waiting lists. They have also said staff wellbeing must be supported during the coming busy winter period.

The latest NHS consultant-led referral to treatment waiting times data shows the total waiting list increased by nearly 12,000 in August 2025, reaching 7.41 million.

Analysis of the data reveals 191,493 patient pathways were waiting longer than 52 weeks. The percentage of patients who began treatment within 18 weeks fell to 61% in August 2025. This is the third consecutive month that ground has been lost in achieving the interim target of 65% of patients starting treatment within 18 weeks by March 2026.

Commenting on waiting times figures published today, Professor Peter Friend, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England said:

“As we head into another tough winter, the government must face facts: without urgent investment in NHS infrastructure and support for staff wellbeing, progress on reducing waiting times will remain slow.

“Surgeons are ready to do more but are held back by critical resource issues - a lack of operating time, staff vacancies, and equipment. Patients deserve better, and that starts with giving the NHS the tools and care it needs to deliver.”

ENDS 

Notes to editors:

1. NHS England’s latest consultant-led referral-to-treatment waiting times data is available here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/rtt-data-2025-26/#Aug25
2. The total waiting list stood at 7,414,794 in August 2025.
3. 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.
4. For more information, please contact the press office: telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6047; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.