NHS Waiting List Falls Amid Record Winter Demand and Rising A&E Pressures

The NHS has reduced its waiting list by 230,000 patients compared to July 2024, despite facing unprecedented winter demand, record A&E attendances, rising ambulance incidents, and looming industrial action by resident doctors.

Figures for September 2025 show the overall waiting list now stands at 7.39 million (around 6.24 million patients), a decrease of 15,845 from August. This reduction comes as the NHS prepares for five days of industrial action beginning tomorrow, underscoring the resilience of staff and the effectiveness of new operational strategies.

Key Highlights:

• Flu vaccination campaign:4 million doses delivered so far this autumn, 160,000 more than the same period in 2024.
• Record A&E activity:36 million attendances in October, up 37,000 year-on-year (an extra 1,200 daily).
• Rising ambulance demand:806,441 incidents in October, nearly 50,000 more than 2024.
• Faster emergency response times:Category 2 calls (strokes, heart attacks) responded to nearly 10 minutes faster than last year.
• Diagnostic checks:Over 2.5 million tests in September, an increase of 148,000 from August.

The NHS has adopted a three-stage winter planning approach—preparation, staying ahead, and response—to ensure continuity of care. Patients will also benefit from a historic £1.1 billion investment in general practice, the largest funding increase in a decade, improving access to GPs nationwide.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS National Medical Director, said:
“It is fantastic news that the NHS has reduced waiting lists in September, but staff will be operating under immense pressure this winter. Flu is peaking early, and industrial action comes after the busiest October in A&E history. We urge the public to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations if eligible, and to use NHS 111 for non-urgent concerns. Call 999 or visit A&E for life-threatening emergencies as usual.”

The NHS continues to provide unprecedented transparency, publishing detailed performance data for individual emergency departments, paediatric emergency care, and mental health delays over 24 hours, as part of the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan.

Public Guidance During Industrial Action:

• Attend all planned appointments unless contacted to reschedule.
• UseNHS 111 online for urgent, non-life-threatening concerns.
• Call999 or attend A&E for emergencies.

Despite rising pressures, the NHS remains committed to delivering high-quality care, reducing waiting times, and ensuring patients receive timely treatment across England.