NHS waiting list shows modest decline – but ED waits soar

Credit: Getty Images/georgeclerk

By Jane Kirby and Ian Jones, PA

Long waits in emergency departments have risen sharply, despite the overall NHS waiting list continuing to fall, according to new figures for England.

The number of people waiting over 12 hours for a hospital bed after being admitted stood at 71,517 in January – up from 50,775 in December and the highest since records began in August 2010. Those waiting at least four hours rose to 161,141, the second highest on record. Currently, 72.5% of patients are seen within four hours, below the March 2026 target of 78%.