NHS Waiting Lists Fall to Near‑Three‑Year Low as A&E Delays Hit Record Levels

Routine treatment backlogs have eased, but long waits for emergency beds are continuing to affect patients and staff in local hospitals.

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00:01The latest NHS performance figures show hospital waiting lists in England have fallen to their

00:06lowest level in nearly three years, with an estimated 7.29 million treatments awaiting care

00:12at the end of December 2025. This reflects progress on planned operations like hip or

00:17knee surgery that affect many families and patients. However, emergency departments remain

00:22under intense pressure. New data shows more than 71,000 people waited over 12 hours in January

00:28to be admitted to a ward after A&E assessment as the highest number on record since monitoring began

00:34in 2010. Health leaders say the mixed picture highlights ongoing challenges for hospitals

00:39and urgent care services in communities.