This dataset can be found in:

NHS waiting lists by residence and provider: pathways waiting 26 weeks, 36 weeks, one year and two years, September 2011 onwards

Variable filters

You will be able to change the filter selections once you've chosen how to view the data.
Data description

This indicates what a data value represents

5 of 5 selected
No values match your search
date
174 of 174 selected
No values match your search
local health board provider
11 of 11 selected
No values match your search
local health board of residence
10 of 10 selected
No values match your search
specialty
52 of 52 selected
No values match your search
stage of pathway
5 of 5 selected
No values match your search

Choose how to view the data

You'll be asked to choose 2 variables to show on a table
The data will be shown with columns for each of the variables in the dataset, with a data value for all combinations of variables

Next update expected:21 May 2026

Updates

23rd April 2026

New month added and revisions applied to previous data where applicable

19th March 2026
Dataset first published.

Main information

Designation
Accredited official statistics
Data provider
Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW)
Data source
Referral to Treatment Times (RTT)
Time period covered
September 2011 to February 2026

Overview

Summary of dataset and variables

Information on referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times, reported by Local Health Boards. Data cover the period of time from referral by a GP or other medical practitioner to hospital for treatment in the NHS in Wales. Waiting times include time spent waiting for any hospital appointments, tests, scans or other procedures that may be needed before being treated.

Data collection or calculation

Data are drawn from Local Health Board administrative systems relating to the management of patients who have been referred for hospital treatment. Data are reported monthly by Local Health Boards via Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW). The data collection has been in place since April 2007.

A referral to treatment (RTT) pathway covers the time waiting from referral to hospital for treatment and includes time spent waiting for any hospital appointments, tests, scans or other procedures that may be needed before being treated.

In April 2019 health service provision for residents of Bridgend local authority moved from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg to Cwm Taf. The health board names changed, with Cwm Taf University Health Board becoming Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board becoming Swansea Bay University Health Board.

Statistical quality

Data definitions and standards are mandated by the Welsh Information Standards Board (WISB).

A patient pathway opens, and a waiting time begins, at the point a hospital receives a referral. Referrals are most commonly submitted by GPs but may also come from other health care professionals. The figures are based on a count of the number of patient pathways which are open at the end of each month. This can be thought of as ‘the waiting list’.

Patient pathways are closed if either the patient starts treatment, or if it is determined no hospital treatment is necessary. This could include: patient admitted to hospital for an operation or treatment; starting treatment that does not need a stay in hospital (for example, medication or physiotherapy); beginning the fitting of a medical device such as leg braces; starting an agreed period of time to monitor the patient’s condition to assess the need for further treatment.

The number of patient pathways is not the same as the number of individual patients waiting. This is because some patients, for example those with complex needs, have multiple open pathways.

Related reports

Published by

Organisation
Welsh Government
Contact email
stats.healthinfo@gov.wales