Patients see faster treatment as NHS waiting times fall

A major milestone in elective care performance is being celebrated by Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with the 18-week Referral to Treatment (RTT) standard improving to 63.3% the end of March 2026 figures show, with further improvements anticipated in April. This is the strongest position for the Trust since June 2025.

The latest performance figures also show that there are now zero patients waiting longer than 65 weeks for treatment, representing a significant achievement in tackling the longest waits. In addition, the total list of patients waiting to be seen across all pathways is the lowest it has been since before the pandemic in 2020, placing the organisation in a very strong position as it continues to improve patient access to planned care.

Simon Illingworth, Chief Operating Officer at Sherwood Forest Hospitals said:
“These results reflect the extraordinary hard work and commitment of our teams and partners across the health system. Achieving our best 18-week performance since June 2025 and eliminating 65-week waits demonstrates the progress we are making in improving patient care.

“While there is still more to do, this puts us in a very strong position and shows what can be achieved through focused clinical leadership, operational excellence, and dedicated teamwork.”

This progress forms part of Sherwood Forest Hospitals ongoing commitment to reducing waiting times, improving patient experience, and ensuring people receive the timely elective care they need as quickly as possible.