The NHS recorded its busiest winter on record while reducing the elective waiting list to its lowest level in almost three years.
Between November and February, 9,110,591 people attended A&E — the highest number ever recorded — and there were 3,223,778 ambulance call-outs. Known ambulance handovers at A&E this winter reached 1,640,783, almost 130,000 more than two years earlier (1,511,758).
Despite this unprecedented demand, some performance measures improved. The share of patients admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours in emergency departments was 73.6% over the winter, the best result since 2021/22 (73.8%). Average Category 2 ambulance response times fell to 32 minutes 29 seconds, the quickest for those serious calls since 2020/21.
Elective care waiting lists fell to 7.25 million in January 2026, down by 43,666 from the previous month and representing an estimated 6.13 million unique patients. Since June 2024 the overall waiting list has reduced by 374,083 people.
NHS National Medical Director Professor Meghana Pandit said the service had prepared for winter and that staff have helped deliver the shortest winter waiting times in four years while continuing to reduce waiting lists. She added that although progress is being made, challenges remain, including ending the practice of treating patients in corridors. The NHS is enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to corridor care, placing leaders on wards to ensure patients are treated with dignity. Pandit also thanked the public for getting winter vaccinations, which contributed to easing pressure.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said that after years of rising waits, patients are beginning to see improvement: waiting lists are at their lowest for almost three years and more people are being treated within 18 weeks. He credited NHS staff, better planning and modernisation for improvements in A&E and ambulance services, and pledged continued focus on cutting waiting times, supporting staff and maintaining high-quality care for patients.
