NHS key statistics: England

Before 2020, the NHS in England experienced increasing demand and declining performance on its main waiting time measures.

Many of these pressures have increased following the covid-19 pandemic.

How long is the waiting list for hospital treatment?

The waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record of 7.7 million in September 2023, but has since fallen to around 7.1 million in July 2026. The 18-week treatment target has not been met since 2016.

Source: NHS England, Consultant-Led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times

How long are waiting times in A&E?

The proportion of patients spending more than 4 hours in hospital A&E grew substantially between 2015 and 2020. A new record high of 50.4% was reached in December 2022. In August 2026, 38.9% of patients waited over 4 hours in hospital A&E.  

The number of patients waiting over 12 hours for admission after a decision to admit has increased substantially since the middle of 2021. 

Source: NHS England, Accident and Emergency Attendances and Emergency Admissions

How long are waiting times for cancer treatment?

The 62-day waiting time standard for cancer has not  been met in recent years. Targets have recently changed – see section 3 of the full PDF briefing for details. Previously, the standard measured only waits after GP referral, but now other routes are included, covering  around 43% more patients. The 85% target remains the same. In July 2026, on the new standard, 71.2% of patients were treated within 62 days of referral.

Source: NHS England, Cancer Waiting Times

How have NHS staff numbers changed over time?

NHS staff numbers have increased, with doctor numbers up 23% and nurses up 20% over the five years to July 2026. The NHS vacancy rate was 6.7% in June 2026, down from 7.1% in June 2025.

These workforce figures do not adjust for changes in demand or activity.

Source: NHS Digital, NHS Workforce Statistics

How long are waiting times for ambulances? 

Ambulance response times have risen, with the average response to a Category 2 call (for e.g. suspected heart attacks and strokes) at over 1 hour 30 minutes in December 2022 compared with a target of 18 minutes. Performance has subsequently improved but remains outside the target. 

Source: NHS England, Ambulance Quality Indicators

The full PDF briefing paper examines trends in the following areas:

• Accident & Emergency attendance and performance
• Ambulance demand and response times
• Waiting times and waiting lists for routine treatment
• Waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment
• Diagnostic waiting times and activity
• GP appointments
• Workforce numbers for doctors, nurses and other staff
• Bed availability and occupancy

For information on NHS funding and mental health services, please see our separate briefings:

• NHS Expenditure
• Mental health statistics: prevalence, services and funding in England

Health is a devolved policy area and these statistics relate to the NHS in England only. Links to statistics for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be found below.