RCS England response to the latest NHS performance data

New NHS figures show the total waiting list for consultant-led hospital treatment in England fell by 61,413 to 7.48 million in November 2024. The latest data also indicates just 59.1% of patients were seen within 18 weeks. The health service has been under intense pressure over the busy winter period, which could have a knock-on effect for patients waiting for planned surgery.

Earlier this week, the government launched ‘Reforming elective care for patients’, a new plan to cut waiting times for planned treatment in England. The plan includes a new national target of 65% of patients being seen within 18 weeks by March 2026. The government continues to pledge a return to the 92% target for 18-week waits by the end of this parliament. 

NHS performance data shows there were 16,904 patients waiting more than 65 weeks at the end of November 2024, and 221,889 were waiting more than a year. With some patients on multiple pathways, according to NHS England, the number of individual patients waiting is estimated to be around 6.3 million.

Commenting on today’s figures, Professor Peter Friend, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said:  

"We’re facing possibly the worst winter pressures in the NHS’s history, with warnings that things could get worse.  

“For every winter like this that the NHS endures, the greater is the toll on staff, and the more ground we lose in our ability to help those patients waiting unacceptably long for planned treatment. 

"It is positive that the NHS has set out a clear plan for how it will improve waiting times for patients. However, as today’s figures show, the system is under intense pressure and if the government wants to meet targets, it will have to back this up with investment in NHS infrastructure, updating IT and strengthening the surgical workforce.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editors: 
1. NHS England’s latest consultant-led referral to treatment waiting times data is available here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/rtt-data-2023-24/
2. The total number of patient pathways on the waiting list is 7,479,960.The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams, at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research, and championing the best outcomes for patients.
3. Documents relevant to the NHS England’s Reforming elective care for patients plans can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/reforming-elective-care-for-patients/
4. For more information, please contact the Press Office: Telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6047; Email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; Out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.