A report in The Times said the 32 NHS targets would be halved in planning guidance for 2025-26 as the Government focuses on cutting waiting times.

In January 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer set out the Government's target of 92% of NHS patients being seen within 18 weeks by the end of this Parliament.

In addition, health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has reaffirmed the NHS goal of the goal of 78% of A&E patients being seen within four hours.

An interim target of 75% of patients beginning treatment within two months of referral is expected to be set against the official goal of 85%.

Women's health and learning disabilities targets, including a ‘women's health hub' and an annual health check, are believed to be among those sacrificed.

A source told Healthcare Management the announcement is expected tomorrow or later this week.

Liberal Democrat health and social care spokesperson Helen Morgan, said: 'From delays to reforms of social care, new hospitals being kicked into the long grass and now this reported bonfire of NHS targets, this new Government is showing a staggering lack of ambition for patients.'

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: ‘Our members have long called for reduced national targets and greater freedom to commission and deliver services to meet the specific needs of their local communities so the speculation surrounding the planning guidance appears to be a big step in the right direction, albeit it late. They also understand that with tight budgets, trade-offs and decisions have to be made on where funding should be prioritised so that the public is clear on what to expect from the NHS.

‘The Planning Guidance looks set to focus steps to try and recover acute performance in the immediate term. But putting the NHS on sustainable reform will ultimately require more radical reform and delivery of the three shifts. The 10-Year Health Plan will need to go further on this to work out how to balance delivering recovery and reform at the same time. 

‘Health leaders look forward to understanding the detail.'

The DHSC has been asked for comment.