NHS England Reports Record A&E Attendances Amid Improved Waiting Times
NHS England announced that March 2026 was the busiest month on record for Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments, with 2.43 million attendances driven by a prolonged winter and a meningitis outbreak. Despite this unprecedented demand, A&E waiting times dropped to a five-year low, with 77.1% of patients seen within four hours. The health service also reported significant progress in elective care, moving closer to the target of treating 65% of patients within 18 weeks. The total waiting list decreased to 7.22 million in February, marking a substantial reduction since mid-2024. Additionally, cancer diagnosis speeds reached historic highs, with over 80% of suspected cases resolved within 28 days. Ambulance response times for critical incidents also improved to their best levels since May 2021. Officials, including NHS Deputy CEO Professor Meghana Pandit and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, attributed these improvements to staff determination and government investment in diagnostic centers, despite challenges from industrial action and high patient volumes. The data highlights a complex picture of record pressure coupled with improving performance metrics across urgent and elective care pathways in England.
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NHS England Reports Record A&E Attendances Amid Improved Waiting Times
NHS England announced that March 2026 was the busiest month on record for Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments, with 2.43 million attendances driven by a prolonged winter and a meningitis outbreak. Despite this unprecedented demand, A&E waiting times dropped to a five-year low, with 77.1% of patients seen within four hours. The health service also reported significant progress in elective care, moving closer to the target of treating 65% of patients within 18 weeks. The total waiting list decreased to 7.22 million in February, marking a substantial reduction since mid-2024. Additionally, cancer diagnosis speeds reached historic highs, with over 80% of suspected cases resolved within 28 days. Ambulance response times for critical incidents also improved to their best levels since May 2021. Officials, including NHS Deputy CEO Professor Meghana Pandit and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, attributed these improvements to staff determination and government investment in diagnostic centers, despite challenges from industrial action and high patient volumes. The data highlights a complex picture of record pressure coupled with improving performance metrics across urgent and elective care pathways in England.
NHS England