Key facts
- The NHS waiting list in England reached 7.37 million treatments for 6.24 million patients by the end of August.
- This marks the highest number of treatments waiting since October 2025, when 7.40 million treatments were pending.
- An estimated 113,339 people had been waiting over a year for routine treatment at the end of August.
- NHS England delivered a record 4.7 million planned treatments, procedures, and appointments in June, July, and August.
- A&E performance saw 74.4% of patients seen within four hours in September, a decrease from 75.0% in August.
The NHS waiting list in England continues to grow, with 7.37 million treatments pending for 6.24 million patients at the end of August, according to new figures. This represents the highest number of outstanding treatments since October 2025, when 7.40 million treatments were waiting.
Despite this increase, NHS England reported a record number of elective care procedures and appointments were carried out over the summer months of June, July, and August, totaling 4.7 million. However, the number of patients waiting more than a year for routine treatment also rose to 113,339 by the end of August, up from 111,379 in July.
Performance in accident and emergency departments also saw a slight decline, with 74.4% of patients in England being seen within four hours in September, down from 75.0% in August. The number of patients experiencing waits of over 12 hours from the decision to admit to actual admission increased to 50,582 in September.
Health officials, including NHS national medical director Professor Frankie Swords and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, acknowledged the record efforts of staff but warned of "ominous" early signs of winter pressure building. They urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated against flu, Covid, and other respiratory illnesses to help alleviate the strain on the health service.