Statistics published by NHSE also show almost 66% of patients on the waiting list have been waiting less than 18 weeks – the highest proportion since September 2021, and a record number of diagnostic scans and tests.
NHSE has targeted a return to the 92% standard for patients on elective care waiting lists receiving treatment no later than 18 weeks after referral by 2029, alongside interim targets (such as reaching 65% of patients treated within 18 weeks by March 2026 and 70% by March 2027).
Ambulance crews also faced their busiest month on record, responding to almost 870,000 incidents – an average of 28,046 a day. That was 7.7% higher than the daily average of 26,032 recorded in October 2025.
The high demand on emergency services came as the NHS delivered more care outside of hospitals. Urgent community response teams delivered 169,410 care contacts in August, 2.7% more than a year earlier.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued its first cold health alerts of the season for parts of England, warning that falling temperatures could have a ‘serious impact'.
Reaction
Health and social care secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘This autumn has been the busiest ever for our NHS - with record numbers of people attending A&E and record numbers of elective appointments and treatments. Despite the relentless pressure, the NHS has delivered a record 30.6m diagnostic tests, checks and scans over the last 12 months, and more people are being treated within 18 weeks than the same time last year. I want to pay tribute to all the NHS staff whose commitment and hard work has made that possible.'
Nuffield Trust deputy director of research Sarah Scobie said: ‘Progress on bringing down the waiting list has ground to a halt and the NHS is creaking at the seams as it heads into winter.
‘Soaring inflation is contributing to a tight NHS budget, while meaningful improvement on waiting times seems to have been overshadowed by other priorities on a busy policy agenda.'
Nuha Yassin, vice president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: ‘The Government's investment in urgent care is a positive step. Reducing pressure on emergency departments and improving patient flow could help protect planned operations this winter.
‘However, to make lasting progress, we also need increased investment in planned care. That means the operating theatres, beds and surgical workforce needed to treat more patients and keep planned surgery moving through the winter and beyond.'
Francesca Cavallaro, senior analytical manager at The Health Foundation, said: ‘The Government has begun setting out further winter help for the health service, with some additional allocated funding in the budget and extra support for GPs. But ministers should take today's figures as a serious warning and provide additional support for hospitals as soon as possible to help them cope this winter in the face of very high demand.
‘Sustained reductions in year-round pressures will require a focused effort over the long term, including investment in hospital operational capacity, community health services and social care, particularly in areas with the greatest need. This will help local teams identify and support high-risk patients throughout the year, rather than winter months alone.'
