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NHS: Waiting Lists

Asked by Sir Desmond SwayneConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 22 October 2025UIN 905921

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of recent trends in the length of NHS waiting lists.

Answered by Karin Smyth

Waiting lists have fallen by over 206,000 since we came to office, and we’ve delivered 5.2 million extra appointments in our first year – more than double what we promised.

Our Elective Reform Plan sets out how we will return to the 18-week standard for elective care by the end of this Parliament, through a combination of investment and reform.

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