NHS England Waiting List Update: August 2026 Figures
Published: 4 November 2026
NHS England’s statistical release for August 2026 reported 7.4 million referral-to-treatment (RTT) pathways waiting to start consultant-led treatment at the end of the month. The release estimated around 6.2 million unique patients, because one person can be waiting on more than one pathway.
The figures are for England and for consultant-led elective care. They should not be read as a count of people waiting across the whole UK or as a measure of every type of NHS care.
What the release reported
The published figures included 113,339 pathways waiting more than 52 weeks and a median waiting time of 12.2 weeks. NHS England also noted that some providers had not submitted data for August and that national estimates included estimates for those missing trusts. The release cautions that some waiting-time measures do not include those estimates.
What this means for private health insurance
Waiting-list statistics do not establish that private medical insurance is suitable or that a particular condition will be covered. PMI generally applies to eligible treatment under the policy and may exclude pre-existing symptoms, chronic care or emergency treatment. A policy bought after symptoms begin may not cover care for those symptoms.
Before switching from NHS to private treatment, ask your clinician about care options and get the insurer’s authorisation before booking. Read our guides to private treatment while on an NHS waiting list and using NHS and private healthcare together.
Compare cover for future eligible treatment: compare UK health insurance.
Sources checked 4 November 2026
The NHS statistics are a dated snapshot for England. They are not medical advice or a prediction of an individual’s waiting time.