According to recent figures, the NHS delivered more elective activity in 2025 than any other year in its history. This cut the waiting list to its lowest level since February 2023.

18.4 million elective treatments were delivered in 2025, up from 18 million in 2024.

Furthermore, there were 1.43 million treatments delivered in December – an increase of 91,775 on last year. This is despite five days of industrial action by resident doctors.

The percentage of people waiting over 18 weeks for treatment slightly decreased to 61.5 per cent, while the percentage of those waiting over 52 weeks dropped to just 1.9 per cent.

Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said: “Completing a historic high of elective activity is a triumph for NHS staff who continue to innovate and go above and beyond to treat more patients, faster.

“Thanks to early preparations and careful planning, ambulance waits are shorter and A&E treatment times are faster this winter – even as staff face record demand – while we know there is further to go in improving patient flow and cutting the longest emergency department waits.”

“We saw a great response from the public with many people getting protected against winter viruses this year, which is paying off for patients and keeping more people well and at home.

“With a particularly wet start to the year and cold weather alerts issued for England over the weekend, as ever, it’s really important the public continue to come forward for care in the usual way – by dialling 999 in an emergency and otherwise using 111 online, your local pharmacist or GP”.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said: “Despite having to deal with flu and industrial action, the NHS has managed to continue cutting waiting lists, thanks to a Herculean effort this winter.

“This government has cut waiting lists by more than 330,000, with hundreds of thousands more people treated within 18 weeks. That’s not happening by chance – it’s because we delivered record levels of care in 2025.

“This progress is driven by unprecedented investment and modernisation of our health service, and above all by the dedication of NHS staff.

“Whether it’s by opening up new community diagnostic centres, rolling out surgical hubs to tackle backlogs, or investing in modern equipment and technology, we are rebuilding our NHS.

“There’s so much more to do, but people can take hope and optimism from the fact that the NHS is finally on the road to recovery.”