What's happened
Recent NHS data shows a significant drop in waiting lists, but emergency care remains strained. Over 554,000 patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E in 2025, the highest since records began, amid rising winter illnesses and hospital pressures. Experts warn of ongoing systemic issues.
What's behind the headline?
The apparent progress in reducing NHS waiting lists masks deeper systemic issues. While the government reports a decline in routine treatment backlogs, emergency departments are overwhelmed, with record-high trolley waits and critical incidents declared across trusts. This disconnect suggests that targeted measures to clear scheduled treatments do not address the core capacity and staffing shortages in emergency care.
The surge in winter viruses exacerbates existing pressures, revealing the fragility of NHS infrastructure. The rise in patients waiting over 12 hours in A&E indicates that hospitals are operating beyond safe limits, risking increased mortality and poorer outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Policy efforts like expanding community tests and surgical hubs are positive but insufficient without substantial investment in hospital capacity and workforce. The focus on short-term reductions in waiting lists may divert attention from the urgent need for systemic reform. The crisis is likely to persist unless long-term funding and staffing strategies are implemented, or the NHS risks further deterioration in patient safety and staff morale.
What the papers say
The Mirror reports a 86,000 decrease in NHS waiting list numbers for November, highlighting record investment and modernization efforts under Labour. However, unions and campaign groups criticize the pace of change, citing ongoing issues like A&E overcrowding and corridor care. Sky News emphasizes the record-high 554,018 patients waiting over 12 hours in 2025, marking the worst since records began, with experts warning of unsafe conditions and increased mortality risks. The Independent details the surge in winter illnesses, with hospitals declaring critical incidents and patients waiting days for beds, illustrating the systemic strain despite some progress in routine treatment metrics. Contrasting views from the sources reveal a healthcare system under severe stress, with government claims of improvement challenged by frontline realities.
How we got here
The NHS has faced increasing demand and underinvestment over the past decade, leading to rising waiting times and hospital pressures. The recent data reflects efforts to reduce routine waitlists, but emergency services continue to struggle with capacity, especially during winter surges of illnesses like flu and norovirus.
Go deeper
More on these topics