“Huge moment” as the health service hits 18-week target amid half-a-million waiting list drop

Summary: The NHS in England has reached a huge goal! For the first time in years, they met their target to treat patients within 18 weeks. The overall waiting list dropped by over half a million people, making it the biggest drop in 16 years. Even with strikes and a super busy winter, hospitals did a record number of tests and treatments. Health leaders say it is all thanks to the hard work of NHS staff. Lots of progress has been made, but there is still more to do!

Source: england URL: england.nhs.uk/2026/05/health-service-hits-18-week-target-amid-half-million-waiting-list-drop/ (opens in new tab)