NHSQueue

NHS Waiting Times Data

Explore official waiting-time and A&E data across 532 providers in England

National Overview

Total Waiting List

7,184,233

As of May 2026

Median Wait

12.5 weeks

As of May 2026

Within 18 Weeks

65.5%

Shortest Waits Now

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Browse by Region

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Data sourced from NHS England (Referral to Treatment waiting times, A&E statistics) and Care Quality Commission (CQC ratings). Last updated: 2026-07-01.

This website is independently operated and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS. Learn more about our data sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NHS 18-week target?

The NHS Constitution sets a legal right for patients to start consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks of GP referral. The national target is 92% compliance. Currently, most trusts fall below this threshold.

How are Wait Scores calculated?

NHSQueue assigns each provider a Wait Score from A+ to F using only the percentage of incomplete pathways within 18 weeks. The thresholds are published on our Data Sources page.

How often is the data updated?

Referral-to-Treatment (RTT) and A&E provider data are published monthly by NHS England. NHSQueue checks for a new release every month and rebuilds the public dataset after validation.

Can I choose which hospital to be referred to?

Yes. Under NHS patient choice, you have the legal right to choose any NHS hospital in England for your first outpatient appointment. Use our hospital comparison tool to find trusts with shorter waits for your specialty.

What does 'median wait' mean?

The median wait is the middle value — half of patients waited less than this, half waited more. It gives a more realistic picture than the average, which can be skewed by extremely long waits.