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Health Services: Waiting Lists

Asked by Dr Caroline JohnsonConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 15 July 2025UIN 65322

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his target date is for 92% of patients to begin elective treatment within 18 weeks.

Answered by Karin Smyth

As set out in the Plan for Change, we are committed to delivering the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment by March 2029.

Planning Guidance for 2025/26 sets a target that 65% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks by March 2026, with every trust expected to deliver a minimum 5% improvement on current performance over that period.

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