Release date represents the date figures were accessed. *The NHS England standard since 2013/14 states that no-one should wait more than 52 weeks (i.e. over a year) for elective (non-urgent) treatment, e.g. cataract surgery or a knee replacement, from their referral to their first treatment.
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Number and share waiting over 52 weeks for elective treatment in England 2007-2025
In February 2025, there were a total of **** million people in England waiting for elective treatment. Of these, over *** thousand had been waiting for more than 52 weeks. This equates to *** percent, much more than the zero standard set by NHS, where no one should wait for over a year for elective treatment*. Percentage of long waits (though not numbers) were down or close to zero from 2012 but began to rise when the COVID-19 pandemic started. This statistic displays the number and percentage of patients waiting more than 52 weeks for elective (non-urgent) treatment in England from August 2007 to February 2025.
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NHS. (April 30, 2025). Number and percentage of patients waiting more than 52 weeks for elective (non-urgent) treatment in England from August 2007 to February 2025 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 27, 2026, from /statistics/1269861/waiting-times-for-elective-treatment-over-52-weeks-england/
NHS. "Number and percentage of patients waiting more than 52 weeks for elective (non-urgent) treatment in England from August 2007 to February 2025." Chart. April 30, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 27, 2026. /statistics/1269861/waiting-times-for-elective-treatment-over-52-weeks-england/
NHS. (2025). Number and percentage of patients waiting more than 52 weeks for elective (non-urgent) treatment in England from August 2007 to February 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 27, 2026. /statistics/1269861/waiting-times-for-elective-treatment-over-52-weeks-england/
NHS. "Number and Percentage of Patients Waiting More than 52 Weeks for Elective (Non-urgent) Treatment in England from August 2007 to February 2025." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 30 Apr 2025, /statistics/1269861/waiting-times-for-elective-treatment-over-52-weeks-england/
NHS, Number and percentage of patients waiting more than 52 weeks for elective (non-urgent) treatment in England from August 2007 to February 2025 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1269861/waiting-times-for-elective-treatment-over-52-weeks-england/ (last visited July 27, 2026)
Number and percentage of patients waiting more than 52 weeks for elective (non-urgent) treatment in England from August 2007 to February 2025 [Graph], NHS, April 30, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1269861/waiting-times-for-elective-treatment-over-52-weeks-england/
