NHS waiting list hits 7.37 million: what it means for expats
Latest NHS figures show 7.37 million treatments waiting across England as of August 2026, representing the highest backlog since October 2025. Long wait times now affect all patients seeking non-urgent hospital care, including foreign residents with NHS access.
New NHS data released on October 8 shows that 7.37 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of August, affecting 6.24 million patients across England. This represents an increase from 7.33 million treatments in July, marking the fourth rise in five months.
What the figures mean
- Only 65.2% of patients are currently treated within the standard 18-week target, falling short of the government's goal of 92% by 2029
- Median wait time has increased to 12.2 weeks, up from 12.0 weeks the previous month
- More than 113,000 people have been waiting over 52 weeks for treatment
Despite these challenges, NHS England noted that record numbers of appointments were delivered during the summer months, with 4.7 million planned treatments occurring across June, July, and August. Health officials attributed continued pressure to unprecedented A&E attendances and ambulance call-outs.
For expats and foreign residents holding UK visas and registered with the NHS, waiting times for non-urgent hospital treatment can significantly impact your healthcare plans. If you need elective surgery or specialist treatment, you should register early with your GP and discuss expected timelines. Private health insurance may be worth considering if you require urgent procedures.
Sources
Independent app, not a government. General information, not advice. The official source:
