How many people are waiting for hospital treatment?
7.1 million treatments are waiting to start in England (July 2026). 65% have waited under 18 weeks; the NHS standard is 92%.
What’s this?
Treatments waiting to start after a referral, such as an operation or hospital appointment. One person can be waiting for more than one treatment.
What it cannot tell you: It counts treatments, not people, and does not show how urgent each case is.
What’s this?
The share of people waiting whose wait so far is under 18 weeks. The NHS constitution sets a standard of 92%.
What it cannot tell you: It does not show why someone has waited, or whether waiting changed their condition.
What’s this?
The middle wait so far among people still waiting: half have waited less than this, half more.
What it cannot tell you: The median hides the longest waits: half of people have waited longer than this.
One person can be waiting for more than one treatment, so this counts treatments, not people. Compare your NHS area or see all NHS areas.