Referral to treatment (RTT) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026 · Page updated 1 November 2026
Neurology waiting times
In August 2026, 208,030 pathways were waiting for consultant-led neurology care in England. 62.3% had waited under 18 weeks (standard 92%), the median wait so far was 13.2 weeks, and 2,078 had waited over a year. Waits vary widely between hospitals, as the table below shows.
Neurology covers the brain and nerves, for example epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, headaches and Parkinson’s disease. These are referral to treatment figures: they count everyone waiting for consultant-led neurology care, from referral until treatment starts, whether or not they need an operation.
How long is the NHS waiting list for neurology?
| Measure | England |
|---|---|
| Pathways waiting | 208,030 |
| Rank by size among specialties | 11 of 18 |
| Waited under 18 weeks | 62.3% |
| Median weeks waited | 13.2 |
| 92nd percentile weeks waited | 39 |
| Waited over 52 weeks | 2,078 (1.0%) |
| Share with independent providers (WTUK calculation) | 0.6% |
Which NHS trusts have the shortest and longest median neurology waits?
Among NHS trusts with at least 1,000 pathways waiting. The median is how long half the people on that list had waited so far.
| Shortest median | Weeks | Longest median | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 6.2 | Medway NHS Foundation Trust | 30.0 |
| Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust | 6.6 | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 23.9 |
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | 7.4 | University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 20.7 |
| Somerset NHS Foundation Trust | 7.4 | The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust | 19.2 |
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | 8.3 | East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust | 19.0 |
How long are neurology waits at each NHS trust?
NHS trusts with at least 50 pathways waiting, grouped by region and listed A to Z.
Which independent providers treat NHS neurology patients?
The largest 3 of 3 independent providers with at least 50 NHS pathways waiting. The full list is in the CSV download.
| Provider | Region | Waiting | % under 18 wks | Median wks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bespoke Healthcare Ltd | North West | 594 | 71.5% | 11.7 |
| Dorking Healthcare Limited (Dhc) | South East | 417 | 83.7% | 7.8 |
| Spire Hull and East Riding Hospital | North East and Yorkshire | 102 | 71.6% | 8.8 |
How long are MRI scan waits?
22.0% of people waiting for an MRI scan in England had waited six weeks or more in August 2026 (standard: under 1%). See MRI waiting times.
Can I choose a hospital with a shorter wait?
In England you have a legal right to start consultant-led, non-urgent treatment within 18 weeks of referral, with some exceptions, and you can usually choose where you are referred for a first outpatient appointment. Each hospital has a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) that can help with questions about your wait. Your waiting time rights explained.
Not medical advice. If your symptoms change or get worse while you wait, contact your GP or the team treating you. If it is not an emergency, NHS 111 online or calling 111 can tell you where to go, including urgent treatment centres, which often have shorter waits. Call 999 or go to A&E for life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding or signs of a stroke.
Frequently asked questions
Do these figures include MRI scans of the brain?
No. Scans are counted in the diagnostics statistics. Many neurology patients need an MRI, so the MRI waits below are also relevant.
What is the average wait for neurology on the NHS?
In August 2026, the median time waited so far was 13.2 weeks in England, and 62.3% had waited under 18 weeks. This is how long people on the list had waited at the end of the month, not a prediction.
Why is my hospital not listed?
The table shows trusts with at least 50 pathways waiting in this specialty. Some trusts record this work under a different specialty or did not submit data this month. Check the trust pages.
Can I ask to be referred somewhere else?
In England you can usually choose where you are referred for your first appointment. If you are already waiting and are likely to wait over 18 weeks, ask the hospital or your integrated care board about alternatives.
How should I cite these figures?
Waiting Times UK, “Neurology waiting times”, NHS England RTT data for August 2026, https://waitingtimesuk.co.uk/waiting-times/neurology (accessed [date]). Where possible, cite the official publisher too.
Who wrote this page and where do the figures come from?
Written and maintained by the Waiting Times UK editorial team at Oaknest Media Ltd, an independent publisher that is not part of the NHS. Every figure is taken from an official publication, shown with its date, and linked below; where we add up or compare figures ourselves we say so. This page has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not medical advice. Page last updated 1 November 2026, from the data files named below. Figures change when the publisher releases new data.
- NHS England: Referral to treatment waiting times (August 2026, published 8 October 2026)
- NHS England: Diagnostics waiting times (DM01)
- NHS England: Cancer waiting times (provisional)
Official statistics are reproduced under the Open Government Licence v3.0. See data sources and methods and about Waiting Times UK.
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