The standards we monitor are set out by NHS England. They help us ensure that healthcare providers, like NHS trusts, are meeting the obligations described in the NHS Constitution.
NHS performance standards
Referral to Treatment (RTT)
92 per cent of patients should wait no more than 18 weeks for elective treatment.
Diagnostic test waiting times
No more than 1 per cent of patients should wait more than six weeks for a diagnostic test.
Estimated diagnosis rate for people with dementia
At least 66.7 per cent of patients with dementia should be diagnosed.
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
75 per cent of people should start treatment within 6 weeks of referral.
95 per cent of people should start treatment within 18 weeks of referral.
A&E four hour wait standard
95 per cent of patients should have their treatment completed, or be admitted, within four hours of arriving at A&E.
Transforming care for people with learning disabilities
75 per cent of people on the Learning Disability register, who are aged 14 or older, should have an annual health check.
Physical health checks for people with severe mental illness
60 per cent of people on the Severe Mental Illness (SMI) GP register should receive six physical health checks within the previous 12 months.
Cancer waiting times
There are four cancer waiting time standards:
- week waits (93% standard)
- 31 days first and subsequent treatments (96% standard)
- 62 days referral to treatment (85% standard)
- 28 day faster diagnostics standard
Impact of Covid-19 on performance
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the performance of your local NHS.
Issues like staff shortages and a reduction in the number of patients that can be treated have made it difficult for services to meet some performance standards since 2020.
We’re working with partners to bring performance back to levels seen before the pandemic, especially for cancer referrals and treatment.