RTT & Elective Care

Detailed metrics on referral to treatment and elective care performance

RTT Performance Summary

Source: NHS England RTT Waiting Times, January 2026 (published 12 March 2026). Sheffield excluded due to data submission issues.

18-Week Performance (Shelford Avg)

62.6%

NHS target: 92% · England avg: 61.4% · 9 trusts reporting

Total Waiting List

854k

Patients on incomplete pathways (9 trusts)

52+ Week Waiters

1.5%

12,936 patients · England avg: 1.9%

78+ Week Waiters

<0.01%

38 patients across 9 trusts

Elective Recovery Plan Milestones: The Government's plan aims for 65% of patients within 18 weeks by March 2026 (with every trust delivering a 5pp improvement), 70% by March 2027, and the constitutional standard of 92% by March 2029. The Shelford average currently stands at 62.6% (9 trusts reporting; Sheffield excluded due to data submission issues). Source: NHS England Medium Term Planning Framework 2026/27–2028/29 and 2025/26 Operational Planning Guidance.

Trust-Level RTT Performance

Source: NHS England RTT Waiting Times, January 2026 (published 12 March 2026). Sheffield excluded due to data submission issues.

Trust	18wk Performance	Waiting List Size	52+ week %	78+ week %

18-Week Performance Trends with Elective Recovery Benchmarks

Source: NHS England Acute Provider Time Series, January 2025 – January 2026 (published 12 March 2026). Sheffield excluded due to data submission issues. Benchmark lines from Elective Reform Plan (Jan 2025) and Medium Term Planning Framework.

18-Week Performance by Trust – 3 Month Comparison

Source: NHS England Acute Provider Time Series, November 2025 – January 2026 (published 12 March 2026). Sheffield excluded due to data submission issues.

Waiting List Size by Trust (thousands)

Source: NHS England RTT Waiting Times, January 2026. Sheffield excluded due to data submission issues.

Long Waiters by Trust (% of waiting list)

Source: NHS England RTT Waiting Times, January 2026. Sheffield excluded due to data submission issues.

52+ Week Waiters Trend (% of waiting list)

Source: NHS England Acute Provider Time Series, January 2025 – January 2026 (published 12 March 2026). Interim target: less than 1% by March 2026. Sheffield excluded due to data submission issues.