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 the waiting list for hospital treatment?

Line graph showing that the waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record level of 7.7 million in September 2023 but has since fallen to around 7.4 million in March 2025.

The waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record of 7.7 million in September 2023, but has since fallen to around 7.4 million in March 2025. 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?

Line graph showing change over time in the percentage of patients waiting over four hours in A&E.

The number of people going to A&E was slightly above pre-pandemic levels in winter 2024/25. 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 April 2025, 39.8% 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. 

Line graph showing that the number of patients waiting over 12 hours for hospital admission after a decision to admit has increased substantially since mid 2021.

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

How long are waiting times for cancer treatment?

Line graph showing performance over time against the 62 day waiting time standard 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 March 2025, on the new standard, 71.4% of patients were treated within 62 days of referral.

Source: NHS England, Cancer Waiting Times

How have NHS staff numbers changed over time?

Line graph showing changes in the number of NHS doctor and nurses since 2010.

NHS staff numbers have increased, with doctor numbers up 26% and nurses up 25% over the five years to February 2025. The NHS vacancy rate was 6.7% in March 2025, down from 6.9% in March 2024.

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? 

Line graphs showing average response times to category 1 and category 2 ambulance calls. Response targets for both types of calls have not been met in recent years.

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:

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.


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