Written Question·Department of Health and Social Care·UIN 76564

Surgery: Waiting Lists

Tabled: 11 September 2025

Answered: 21 October 2025

Question

Stuart Andrew

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his Department’s policy is on the use of minimum waiting times for elective NHS care; and whether he has considered prohibiting the use of such waiting times less than 18 weeks.

Answer

Karin Smyth

As set out in the Plan for Change, we are committed to returning to the NHS constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment by March 2029. As of August 2025, the waiting list had reduced ...

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