New NHS healthcare statistics reveal the reality of waiting times

The statistics, from the Office for National Statistics, uncovered key insights into patient experience in local GP services in February 2026, community health services, dentistry and pharmacy services, raising concerns for the gaps in care within services and identifying areas of improvement for NHS healthcare services.

Of the respondents who had reported being currently on a waiting list, 39% had said they waited less than three months, and notably – 18% had waited for more than a year.

As part of its ongoing self-advocacy campaign, Slater and Gordon encourage patients to advocate for themselves if they believe their local GP isn’t providing a high-quality standard of care, such as not acting with urgency, mistreatment or misdiagnosis. For those facing waiting times for NHS services and treatment, these statistics heightens such concerns.

In addition, many respondents waiting for treatment reported dissatisfaction with NHS communication, with 45% receiving no information from their hospital about their current wait. With longer waiting times, there leaves a risk of worsening symptoms and delayed access to treatment.

The research also asked patients what would improve their waiting experience. The majority of patients (60%) reported shorter waiting times, 50% want more regular updates and 33% said better communication between healthcare teams. A further 20% wanted more information on managing their condition, enabling patients to feel more comfortable during their wait.

The data also presented a mixed picture for many patients seeking healthcare support. Positively, overall satisfaction with GP practices currently sits at 72%. In the last four weeks, 44% of respondents tried to contact their GP practice with three in four GPs making contact on the same day reporting timely response and initial support.

However, people with longer-term conditions report lower satisfaction rates less than 60%, a group that relies more heavily on GP access and support.

Emma Doughty, Head of Clinical Negligence at Slater and Gordon, said: “When you seek help from a healthcare provider, you have the right to expect time to set out and discuss your symptoms and concerns.

“You deserve a standard of care, and if possible, investigations which lead to a considered diagnosis. If you feel that you are being ignored, mistreated or misdiagnosed, then please feel encouraged to speak out.”