Waiting list progress stalls as winter approaches, warn surgeons

Surgeons are warning that progress in reducing NHS waiting times is stalling before winter as the latest figures show no improvement on the size of the overall waiting list in September.

The waiting list stood at 7.4 million. For six months now, the number of patients waiting over a year has gone up, with the total now at 116,353.

There was a small improvement in the number of patients waiting less than 18 weeks to start treatment, rising from 65.2% to 65.8% in August. This leaves the NHS well below the 92% standard it is committed to restoring by March 2029.

Long waits can have serious consequences for patients, leaving people living with debilitating symptoms, unable to work, or struggling with everyday activities. Delays can also allow conditions to deteriorate, potentially making treatment more complex.

Recent analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also highlighted the wider consequences of delays to elective treatment, including the impact on people's ability to work and the amount of time they may need to claim benefits. Treating patients sooner can help them return to work and resume their everyday lives.

The government has announced almost £140 million of additional investment in urgent and emergency care this winter. This includes investment in 14 urgent care schemes across England, alongside 25 new or expanded urgent care sites due to open for winter. 

The Royal College of Surgeons of England says that easing pressure on emergency departments and improving the flow of patients through hospitals could help reduce disruption to planned operations this winter. However, sustained progress on waiting lists will also require greater investment in planned surgical capacity, including operating theatres, beds and the workforce needed to treat patients.

Commenting on the latest figures, Nuha Yassin, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said:

“As we head into winter, the latest figures show the NHS is struggling to keep up. Long waits can have a devastating impact on patients, leaving people living with debilitating symptoms, unable to work or manage their everyday lives, while their conditions can deteriorate and require more complex treatment. 

“The government's investment in urgent care is a positive step. Reducing pressure on emergency departments and improving patient flow could help protect planned operations this winter. 

“However, to make lasting progress, we also need increased investment in planned care. That means the operating theatres, beds and surgical workforce needed to treat more patients and keep planned surgery moving through the winter and beyond.”

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-2026-27/#Sep26
2. The government has pledged that by 2029, 92% of patients will begin treatment within 18 weeks of referral
3. The government announced almost £140 million of additional investment in urgent and emergency care for winter 2026, including funding for 14 urgent care schemes across England. A further 25 new or expanded urgent care sites are also due to open for winter: £140 million boost to urgent care to ease winter pressures on NHS - GOV.UK
4. Analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that longer-than-target inpatient waiting times were associated with an additional 39,000–60,000 person-years of benefit receipt over five years, compared with a scenario in which waiting time targets were met. This was compared with the time they would have spent on benefits if NHS waiting-time targets had been met: The impact of elective waiting times on benefits receipt, England - Office for National Statistics
5. 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.
6. 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.