Overview

• An estimated 7.40 million treatments were waiting at the end of July in England, up by about 33,000 from June and covering 6.25 million patients.
• Patients waiting over 18 months rose to 1,429 in July from 1,103 in June, while those waiting more than 65 weeks increased to 11,950 from 10,517.
• NHS England delivered 1.64 million treatments in July, a 2.6% year-on-year rise, as officials highlighted continued activity through industrial disruption.
• Cancer pathway data showed 76.6% received a diagnosis or ruling within 28 days, with 62‑day treatment timeliness at 69.2% as urgent referrals hit a monthly record of 305,164.
• August urgent care metrics showed slightly faster ambulance responses, though A&E four‑hour performance dipped and 12‑hour waits from decision to admit reached 35,909.