Restore the 18-week NHS standard
92% of patients waiting no longer than 18 weeks for treatment
Deadline
March 2029
Coverage
England
Baseline shown
58.8%
Jul 2024 baseline
Latest evidence
65.2%
Aug 2026
Progress evidence
Patients on an incomplete pathway waiting 18 weeks or less
Aug 2026
65.2%
70.9% of target level
This is the direct national measure used by NHS England for the commitment.
Evidence timeline
Commitments, government updates, official statistics and independent scrutiny remain visibly distinct.
2026/27 delivery path published
The NHS planning framework set a 70% national target for 2026/27 and retained the 92% target for 2028/29.
NHS England
March 2026 interim milestone reported
NHS England reported that 65.3% of patients were waiting 18 weeks or less, above the 65% March 2026 interim target.
NHS England
18-week milestone published
Government committed to restoring the constitutional 92% standard by March 2029.
UK Government
Backlogs and waiting times examined
The NAO documented the scale and causes of elective backlogs and the risks to recovery plans.
National Audit Office