How to Check NHS Waiting Times in the UK (2026)
16 August 2026
Learn how to check NHS waiting times in England, Scotland, Wales and NI. Compare A&E, elective and cancer waits by trust.
What NHS waiting times are and why they matter
NHS waiting times show how long you might wait for treatment, from A&E arrivals to planned surgery. These figures help you understand pressure on your local services and plan ahead. They also hold the NHS to account. Because waiting times vary widely by postcode, clinical urgency and hospital capacity, knowing how to check them is genuinely useful. In 2026, waiting time transparency is better than ever, with official data published weekly and monthly by NHS trusts across the UK. You can use this information to have a more informed conversation with your GP or consultant, and to decide whether to explore alternative providers like Trusts that may see you sooner.
How to check urgent and emergency (A&E) waiting times
For A&E and urgent care, the NHS 111 online service shows live waiting times at nearby emergency departments in England. You can search by postcode and see estimated hours, updated throughout the day. Alternatively, many hospital trusts publish their own A&E live wait boards on their websites, though they often refresh every 10–15 minutes. For the most reliable historical picture, check the NHS England weekly statistics on A&E attendances and 4-hour performance. In Scotland, Public Health Scotland publishes daily A&E waits; in Wales, NHS 111 Wales provides similar live data; and Northern Ireland's Department of Health shares monthly performance summaries.
How to check planned hospital and service waiting times
For planned care like orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology or outpatient clinics, the golden tool is NHS England's 'My Planned Care' tool. You enter your treatment type and home postcode to see average waiting times at nearby hospitals, including the percentage of patients seen within 18 weeks, the current target. This is public data from the RTT (Referral to Treatment) statistics. You can also review your own referral status by contacting your hospital's booking team or checking your NHS App, where some trusts now show active referrals. If you've been referred, ask your GP which provider you were sent to and how long their latest RTT waits are.
Checking wait times in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Each UK nation has its own systems. In Scotland, the NHS Inform website lets you find waiting times by health board and hospital, covering outpatient, inpatient and A&E. The Scottish Government publishes a weekly A&E waiting times dashboard. In Wales, NHS Wales has a 'Waiting Times' section on its national website with reports by local health board, including diagnostics and planned surgery. For Northern Ireland, the Department of Health publishes monthly waiting times for outpatients, inpatients and day cases. You can also check your local trust's website—many now provide a simple 'check live waits' tool. Remember, these figures are averages; individual waits depend on clinical priority.
What to do if you think your wait is too long
If you've been waiting longer than the current NHS standard (usually 18 weeks for planned care, 62 days for cancer treatment), start by contacting your hospital's patient advice and liaison service (PALS). Explain your situation and ask for a review. You can also ask your GP to chase the referral and, in some cases, to refer you to a different hospital that may have shorter waits. In England, the NHS Constitution gives you the right to ask for treatment to be moved to a faster provider if you'll wait longer than 18 weeks. If the delay has caused harm, you can complain to NHS England or the relevant ombudsman in your nation. Keep records of every contact.
FAQ
There isn't one app that covers all UK nations, but NHS England's 'My Planned Care' is the closest for England, covering planned operations and clinics. For live A&E waits, use the NHS 111 website. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own portals linked to NHS Inform, NHS Wales and the NI Department of Health. Using these official sources ensures you get accurate, up-to-date data.