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NHS Waiting List Rises to 7.42 Million as Long Waits Decline

New data reveals the first increase in seven months, while reforms and record treatment volumes drive progress in reducing the longest delays.

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Overview

  • The NHS waiting list in England grew slightly to 7.42 million treatments by the end of March 2025, marking the first rise since August 2024.
  • Despite the overall increase, the number of patients waiting more than 18 months dropped to 1,164, down from 1,691 in February 2025.
  • Patients waiting over 65 weeks for treatment also saw a significant decline, falling to 7,381 from 13,223 the previous month.
  • March 2025 was the busiest March on record for NHS England, with 100,000 more treatments delivered compared to the same month last year.
  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s new incentive system aims to reward NHS leaders for reducing waits while penalizing underperformance, though concerns about funding and infrastructure persist.