NHS Waiting Times: The Latest Figures

NHS waiting times have soared in recent years as the combined effects of the pandemic, chronic underfunding and staff shortages have taken their toll. While private healthcare cannot replace all NHS services such as Emergency and maternity care, it can offer a fast, convenient alternative for many treatments including non-urgent operations and cancer care.

In a survey by the Independent Health Providers Network, the primary reason for choosing private healthcare was being unable to get an appointment quickly enough, and a growing number of people are choosing to bypass NHS waiting lists and opt for private medical care.

In this article, we will look at current NHS waiting times, explore why NHS waiting times are so long, and ask what the current government’s plans are to tackle this urgent issue.

Current waiting times for NHS treatment

According to the British Medical Association (BMA), the latest referral to treatment (RTT) figures for January 2025 are as follows:

• The waiting list for treatment stood at 7.4 million cases.
• The estimated number of patients waiting for care at the end of February 2025 was 6.24 million people.
• Around 3.02 million of these patients have been waiting for longer than the government target of 18 weeks.
• Approximately 194,000 of these patients have been waiting over a year for treatment.
• The median waiting time for patients waiting to start treatment was 14.2 weeks in February 2025. The median waiting time pre-COVID (in February 2020) was 7.5 weeks.

Waiting times for cancer treatment

Cancer is a disease where fast diagnosis and treatment are essential and delays in starting treatment can have a significant impact on the outcome. The current government has set out three new targets that aim to speed up cancer diagnosis and treatment in the NHS. These include:

• Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS): aims that 75% of patients referred for suspected cancer are diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days of referral.
• 31-day Treatment Standard: this focuses on the time it takes for cancer patients to start treatment after a decision to treat has been made. The target is for 96% of patients to start treatment within 31 days of that decision.
• 62-day referral to treatment standard: the target is that 85% of cancer patients receive their first treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral or consultant upgrade.

Are the new targets for cancer care being met?

According to Cancer Research UK:

• The faster diagnosis standard target of 75% is currently being met with 80.2% of patients being diagnosed, or having cancer ruled out within 28 days of an urgent referral in February 2025.
• The 62-day referral to treatment standard target of 85% is currently not being met with only 67.0% of people in England receiving their diagnosis and starting their first treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral in February 2025.
• The 31-day decision to treat standard target of 96% is currently not being met with 91.8% of people starting treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat in February 2025.

*Figures are for England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own figures.

Why are NHS waiting lists so long?

There is no single reason why NHS waiting lists are so long and the increase in waiting times in recent years is a result of multiple factors including:

• Backlog of patients during COVID: during the pandemic, many non-urgent operations and appointments were delayed or cancelled resulting in a huge backlog of patients that still impacts waiting times today.
• Underfunding: chronic underfunding of the NHS has impacted its ability to treat patients quickly.
• Staff shortages: problems with recruitment and retention due to poor pay and working conditions, burnout and a lack of university places mean there are not enough nurses, doctors and other health professionals working in the NHS.
• An ageing population: older people tend to have more health issues and need more medical care, increasing demand on the NHS.
• Social care issues: patients who need ongoing social care such as home care or a place in a nursing home cannot be discharged from hospital if those services are not available, reducing bed capacity.

Are NHS waiting times improving?

Since the pandemic, waiting times have increased dramatically. In February 2020, the median waiting time for treatment was 7.5 weeks, but by  February 2025 that number had risen to 14.2 weeks.

In March 2021, 4.95 million people were waiting to start treatment. That number had soared to 6.24 million by February 2025.

However, in recent months, NHS waiting times have begun to decline. According to recent statistics published by NHS England:

• Waits of more than 65 weeks for treatment were 13,223 at the end of February 2025, compared to 75,004 at the end of February 2024 (a reduction of 82.4%).
• 1,691 patients were waiting more than 78 weeks for treatment at the end of February 2025, compared to 9,969 at the end of February 2024 (a reduction of 83.0%).
• More than 2.3 million diagnostic tests were delivered in February 2025, compared to 2.2 million in February 2024 (an increase of 4.1%).
• The percentage of 6-week waits in February 2025 was 17.5%, down from 22.4% in January 2025.

What is the government’s plan to tackle NHS waiting times?

In January 2025, the UK government launched the Elective Reform Plan which aims to reform elective care and return to the constitutional standard of 92% of patients receiving treatment within 18 weeks by March 2029. In January 2025, this figure was just 59%. The government plans to achieve this by implementing the following measures:

• Increased appointments: The government is aiming to deliver millions more appointments, including diagnostic tests, scans and operations, per year.
• Community diagnostic and surgical hubs: the creation of these hubs will allow more treatments to be carried out outside hospitals, increasing hospital capacity.
• Utilising the private sector: increased collaboration with the private sector will help reduce hospital waiting lists.
• Deployment of expert “Crack Teams": teams of top clinicians will be sent to hospitals to help implement reforms and treat more patients.
• Compulsory training: Administrative staff will undergo mandatory training to improve communication with patients and make it easier for them to access appointments.
• Greater use of the NHS App: Making appointment information available through the NHS app for 85% of acute trusts.

Private medical care in the UK

While the NHS remains a critical lifeline for millions, private medical care in the UK offers an alternative that’s becoming increasingly attractive to those seeking fast, accessible care.

Although NHS waiting times are improving, the wait for non-urgent treatment in the NHS remains a concern for many. Private healthcare offers many benefits including faster access to specialists and treatments, better facilities, a choice of specialists and hospitals, and access to treatments unavailable on the NHS.

Which private medical insurance is best for me?

The best private medical insurance for you depends on several factors including your age, general health, where you live, and your budget.

At Morehealth, we’re experts in private medical insurance and have years of experience in comparing the UK’s leading insurers to find the best policy for you at the best price. We are committed to finding the best PMI for you, saving you time and money and ensuring your peace of mind.

For more information or to speak to an advisor, call us now on 0800 028 5540 or Get a Quote.