Referral to treatment (RTT) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026 · Page updated 2 November 2026
NHS surgery waiting times in England by specialty
As of August 2026, NHS England data shows 4,369,316 pathways waiting to start treatment in the 11 surgical specialties on this page, 60.8% of the 7,189,213 pathways on the whole England waiting list. 62.5% had waited under 18 weeks (the NHS standard is 92%) and 85,644 had waited more than a year. Trauma and orthopaedics had the largest list (851,183 pathways) and oral surgery the longest median wait so far (16.4 weeks).
Source: NHS England referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times, August 2026, published 8 October 2026. Surgical totals are a Waiting Times UK calculation (the sum of the specialties shown).
Past figures, not a guarantee for new patients. These figures describe people who were already waiting at the end of August 2026 and how long they had waited so far. They are not a forecast of how long a new patient will wait, and waits change. Waiting Times UK is an independent website, not part of the NHS, and this is not medical advice.
RTT figures count waits for planned, consultant-led care from referral until treatment starts. In surgical specialties that includes operations, but also outpatient care and treatment that does not need an operation, so not everyone counted is waiting for surgery. For every specialty, surgical and medical, see NHS waiting times for operations and treatment by specialty.
Key figures for surgical waiting lists
- In August 2026, 4,369,316 pathways were waiting in surgical specialties in England.
- 62.5% of surgical pathways had waited under 18 weeks, against the NHS standard of 92%.
- 85,644 surgical pathways had waited more than 52 weeks, 2.0% of the surgical list.
- Cardiothoracic surgery had the shortest median wait so far (9.6 weeks); oral surgery had the longest (16.4 weeks).
- Between February 2026 and August 2026 the surgical waiting list went from 4,335,045 to 4,369,316 pathways (up 34,271), and waits of over a year went from 93,108 to 85,644.
How long are NHS surgery waits by specialty?
| Surgical specialty | Waiting list | % under 18 wks | Median wks waited | 92nd percentile wks | Over 52 wks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trauma and orthopaedics | 851,183 | 60.9% | 13.9 | 43 | 22,043 |
| Ophthalmology | 625,063 | 72.2% | 10.4 | 33 | 5,022 |
| Ear, nose and throat (ENT) | 590,233 | 56.8% | 15.4 | 42 | 12,031 |
| Gynaecology | 586,582 | 59.6% | 14.2 | 42 | 12,885 |
| Other surgical services | 474,806 | 66.9% | 11.4 | 40 | 8,197 |
| General surgery | 384,914 | 63.2% | 12.8 | 42 | 8,213 |
| Urology | 367,027 | 64.8% | 12.2 | 39 | 5,222 |
| Oral surgery | 316,357 | 53.8% | 16.4 | 44 | 7,544 |
| Plastic surgery | 109,605 | 59.4% | 14.0 | 45 | 3,575 |
| Neurosurgery | 54,748 | 62.0% | 13.4 | 40 | 806 |
| Cardiothoracic surgery | 8,798 | 73.6% | 9.6 | 34 | 106 |
| All surgical specialties shown | 4,369,316 | 62.5% | – | – | 85,644 |
Median and 92nd percentile: half (or 92%) of pathways had waited this many weeks or less so far. A median cannot be added up across specialties, so the total row shows only counts and the share under 18 weeks. Download as CSV. Source: NHS England RTT data, August 2026.
Waiting times in each surgical specialty
For each specialty: the England figures, the NHS trusts with the shortest and longest median waits, and links to every trust.
Trauma and orthopaedics
Covers bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, for example hip and knee problems, back and spine problems, and hand and foot surgery. In August 2026, 851,183 pathways were waiting in trauma and orthopaedics in England; half had waited 13.9 weeks or less, 60.9% under 18 weeks and 22,043 over 52 weeks.
Of 113 NHS trusts compared, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust had the shortest median wait (7.4 weeks) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust the longest (30.8 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
Ophthalmology
Covers eyes, for example cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. In August 2026, 625,063 pathways were waiting in ophthalmology in England; half had waited 10.4 weeks or less, 72.2% under 18 weeks and 5,022 over 52 weeks.
Of 103 NHS trusts compared, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust had the shortest median wait (5.9 weeks) and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust the longest (18.0 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
Ear, nose and throat (ENT)
Covers the ear, nose, throat, head and neck, for example hearing problems, sinus problems and tonsils. In August 2026, 590,233 pathways were waiting in ENT in England; half had waited 15.4 weeks or less, 56.8% under 18 weeks and 12,031 over 52 weeks.
Of 109 NHS trusts compared, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had the shortest median wait (5.1 weeks) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust the longest (24.5 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
Gynaecology
Covers the female reproductive system, for example heavy periods, endometriosis, fibroids, prolapse and menopause problems. In August 2026, 586,582 pathways were waiting in gynaecology in England; half had waited 14.2 weeks or less, 59.6% under 18 weeks and 12,885 over 52 weeks. In NHS coding gynaecology sits outside the surgical group, but many gynaecology treatments are operations.
Of 113 NHS trusts compared, The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had the shortest median wait (7.4 weeks) and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust the longest (21.7 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
General surgery
Covers a wide range of operations, for example hernias, gallbladder removal and some bowel and breast surgery (the mix varies by hospital). In August 2026, 384,914 pathways were waiting in general surgery in England; half had waited 12.8 weeks or less, 63.2% under 18 weeks and 8,213 over 52 weeks.
Of 111 NHS trusts compared, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust had the shortest median wait (2.5 weeks) and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust the longest (25.4 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
Urology
Covers the kidneys, bladder, prostate and male reproductive organs, for example kidney stones, urinary problems and enlarged prostate. In August 2026, 367,027 pathways were waiting in urology in England; half had waited 12.2 weeks or less, 64.8% under 18 weeks and 5,222 over 52 weeks.
Of 111 NHS trusts compared, Isle of Wight NHS Trust had the shortest median wait (6.0 weeks) and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust the longest (19.7 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
Oral surgery
Covers the mouth and jaw, for example wisdom teeth and other hospital dental surgery. In August 2026, 316,357 pathways were waiting in oral surgery in England; half had waited 16.4 weeks or less, 53.8% under 18 weeks and 7,544 over 52 weeks.
Of 103 NHS trusts compared, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust had the shortest median wait (3.3 weeks) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust the longest (28.3 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
Plastic surgery
Covers reconstructive surgery of the skin and soft tissues, for example removing skin cancers, hand surgery and repair after injury. In August 2026, 109,605 pathways were waiting in plastic surgery in England; half had waited 14.0 weeks or less, 59.4% under 18 weeks and 3,575 over 52 weeks.
Of 71 NHS trusts compared, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust had the shortest median wait (5.0 weeks) and Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust the longest (24.6 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
Neurosurgery
Covers surgery on the brain, spine and nerves, for example some spinal operations and the removal of brain tumours. In August 2026, 54,748 pathways were waiting in neurosurgery in England; half had waited 13.4 weeks or less, 62.0% under 18 weeks and 806 over 52 weeks.
Of 25 NHS trusts compared, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust had the shortest median wait (9.3 weeks) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust the longest (32.0 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
Cardiothoracic surgery
Covers operations on the heart, lungs and chest, for example heart bypass and heart valve surgery. In August 2026, 8,798 pathways were waiting in cardiothoracic surgery in England; half had waited 9.6 weeks or less, 73.6% under 18 weeks and 106 over 52 weeks.
Of 27 NHS trusts compared, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust had the shortest median wait (4.8 weeks) and Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust the longest (19.0 weeks). Trusts differ in the patients they treat, so this is not a like-for-like ranking of quality.
Other surgical services (including vascular surgery)
NHS England groups all other surgical treatment functions that NHS England does not report on their own, for example vascular surgery, breast surgery, colorectal surgery, upper gastrointestinal surgery and spinal surgery as “other surgical services”. In August 2026 this group had 474,806 pathways waiting, a median wait so far of 11.4 weeks, 66.9% under 18 weeks and 8,197 over 52 weeks. Figures for vascular surgery and the other specialties in this group are not published on their own, so we do not show them separately (NHS England RTT guidance; NHS Data Dictionary treatment function codes).
How do surgical waits vary by region?
| NHS England region | Surgical waiting list | % under 18 wks | Over 52 wks | % over 52 wks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 730,848 | 65.0% | 9,577 | 1.3% |
| South East | 661,593 | 61.0% | 15,319 | 2.3% |
| South West | 378,903 | 64.2% | 5,673 | 1.5% |
| Midlands | 788,975 | 60.7% | 16,129 | 2.0% |
| East of England | 531,509 | 57.6% | 18,040 | 3.4% |
| North West | 643,409 | 62.3% | 11,196 | 1.7% |
| North East and Yorkshire | 634,079 | 66.4% | 9,710 | 1.5% |
Waiting Times UK calculation: provider figures for the surgical specialties above, added up by each provider’s region.
Where are common operations counted?
NHS England does not publish waiting times for individual operations, so there are no official national waits for, say, a hip replacement or cataract surgery on their own. They are counted inside the specialty that treats them:
- Hip and knee replacements: trauma and orthopaedics.
- Cataract surgery: ophthalmology.
- Hernia repairs and gallbladder removal: mostly general surgery, with some recorded under other surgical services.
- Tonsil and sinus operations: ear, nose and throat (ENT).
- Wisdom teeth removal in hospital: oral surgery.
How do I check surgery waits at my hospital?
- Find NHS trust waits near your postcode for any specialty (England).
- Compare two to four hospitals side by side, or see every NHS trust ranked by specialty.
- Browse every NHS trust or waiting times by trust and specialty.
- Before a scan or test, see MRI scan, CT scan and endoscopy waiting times.
- Read how long an NHS referral takes and your waiting time rights.
What are my rights while I wait for surgery?
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.
How should I cite these figures?
Waiting Times UK, “NHS surgery waiting times in England by specialty”, NHS England RTT data for August 2026, https://waitingtimesuk.co.uk/waiting-times/surgery (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 2 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: RTT statistics user guidance and glossary (which treatment functions are reported, and the “other” groups)
- NHS Data Dictionary: main specialty and treatment function codes
- NHS England: Referral to treatment waiting times, full CSV data files (February 2026 to August 2026; used for the month-by-month trend)
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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