NHS waiting list rises for third month in row

"The scale of the challenge remains significant."

"The government must face facts: without urgent investment in NHS infrastructure and support for staff wellbeing, progress on reducing waiting times will remain slow. Surgeons are ready to do more but are held back by critical resource issues - a lack of operating time, staff vacancies and equipment. Patients deserve better."

"We know there's more to do - that's why we're pressing ahead with new surgical hubs, evening and weekend scans, and cutting-edge technology to get millions more patients treated on time,"

The hospital waiting list in England rose for a third consecutive month to 7.41 million at the end of August, up from 7.36 million in May. The proportion of patients waiting longer than the 18-week target has increased, with only 61% currently seen within that timeframe against a 92% target pledged by the government. Progress on waits improved earlier in the year but worsened over the summer. Current trends indicate the target is at risk without urgent investment in NHS infrastructure, increased operating capacity, reduced staff vacancies, and enhanced staff wellbeing. The government is expanding hubs, scans, and technology to tackle the backlog.

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