NHS waiting lists: referral to treatment performance measures, median and 90th centile waiting times, September 2011 onwards
Standard shorthand is used in this table: [x] = not available.
| Data values | Data description | Date | Local health board provider | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 392,467 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | All Treatment Functions |
| 29,451 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Allied Health Profession Services |
| 605 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Anaesthetics |
| 1,499 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Audiological Medicine |
| 13,705 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Cardiology |
| 780 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Cardiothoracic Surgery |
| 237 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Chemical Pathology |
| 183 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Clinical Neurophysiology |
| 5 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Clinical Oncology (previously radiotherapy) |
| 71 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Clinical Pharmacology |
| 573 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Dental Medicine |
| 23,275 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Dermatology |
| 21,893 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Diagnostic Services |
| 30,520 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Ear, Nose and Throat |
| 2,072 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Endocrinology |
| 14,346 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Gastroenterology |
| 12,064 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | General Medicine |
| 482 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | General Pathology |
| 38,367 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | General Surgery |
| 2,124 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Geriatric Medicine |
| 9 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | GP Maternity |
| 24,742 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Gynaecology |
| 2,059 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Haemotology (clinical) |
| 148 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Infectious Diseases |
| 1,430 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Nephrology |
| 6,673 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Neurology |
| 1,316 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Neurosurgery |
| 35,708 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Ophthalmology |
| 14,516 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Oral Surgery |
| 2,472 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Orthodontics |
| 221 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Paediatric Dentistry |
| 209 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Paediatric Neurology |
| 724 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Paediatric Surgery |
| 6,124 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Paediatrics |
| 4,390 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Pain Management |
| 3,051 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Plastic Surgery |
| 507 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Rehabilitation |
| 4,192 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Respiratory Medicine |
| 2,231 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Restorative Dentistry |
| 6,025 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Rheumatology |
| 64,119 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Trauma and Orthopaedic |
| 19,349 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | All Wales LHB (Provider) | Urology |
| 70,881 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | All Treatment Functions |
| 7,925 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Allied Health Profession Services |
| 1,745 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Cardiology |
| 4,143 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Dermatology |
| 5,575 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Diagnostic Services |
| 5,154 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Ear, Nose and Throat |
| 794 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Endocrinology |
| 3,093 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Gastroenterology |
| 356 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | General Medicine |
| 6,638 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | General Surgery |
| 358 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Geriatric Medicine |
| 4,527 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Gynaecology |
| 165 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Haemotology (clinical) |
| 219 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Nephrology |
| 8,089 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Ophthalmology |
| 3,013 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Oral Surgery |
| 767 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Orthodontics |
| 23 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Paediatric Surgery |
| 1,128 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Paediatrics |
| 1,013 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Pain Management |
| 870 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Respiratory Medicine |
| 275 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Restorative Dentistry |
| 866 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Rheumatology |
| 10,655 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Trauma and Orthopaedic |
| 3,490 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB | Urology |
| 4,958 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | All Treatment Functions |
| 2,035 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Allied Health Profession Services |
| 37 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Cardiology |
| 106 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Dermatology |
| 56 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Diagnostic Services |
| 400 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Ear, Nose and Throat |
| 68 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | General Medicine |
| 434 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | General Surgery |
| 82 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Geriatric Medicine |
| 208 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Gynaecology |
| 666 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Ophthalmology |
| 122 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Oral Surgery |
| 41 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Orthodontics |
| 64 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Paediatrics |
| 26 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Pain Management |
| 66 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Rheumatology |
| 422 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Trauma and Orthopaedic |
| 125 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Powys Teaching LHB | Urology |
| 44,183 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | All Treatment Functions |
| 4,214 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Allied Health Profession Services |
| 240 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Audiological Medicine |
| 993 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Cardiology |
| 58 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Chemical Pathology |
| 183 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Clinical Neurophysiology |
| 2,495 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Dermatology |
| 3,607 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Diagnostic Services |
| 2,644 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Ear, Nose and Throat |
| 13 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Endocrinology |
| 192 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Gastroenterology |
| 4,041 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | General Medicine |
| 5,286 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | General Surgery |
| 2,671 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Gynaecology |
| 302 | Total pathways waiting | Sep-2011 | Hywel Dda LHB | Haemotology (clinical) |
Next update expected:18 December 2025
Updates
- 4th December 2025
New month added and revisions applied to previous data where applicable
- 23rd October 2025
- Dataset first published.
Main information
- Designation
- Accredited official statistics
- Data provider
- Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW)
- Data source
- Referral to Treatment Times (RTT)
Overview
- Summary of dataset and variables
Information on referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times, reported by Local Health Boards. RTT is the period of time from referral by a GP or other medical practitioner to hospital for treatment in the NHS in Wales. An RTT pathway covers the time waited from referral to hospital for treatment in the NHS in Wales and includes time spent waiting for any hospital appointments, tests, scans or other procedures that may be needed before being treated.
- Data collection or calculation
The data presented draws on management information held by Local Health Boards relating to the management of patients who have been referred for hospital treatment. Guidance is provided to the NHS in Wales about how such patients should be managed and how to measure and report the relevant data. The data is reported monthly by Local Health Boards via the Digital Health and Care Wales Service (DHCW) switching service. The data collection has been in place since April 2007.
Please find this information in the related statistical release, as per the given weblink.
From 1st April 2019 health service provision for residents of Bridgend local authority moved from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg to Cwm Taf. For more information see the joint statement from Cwm Taf and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Boards (see weblinks). The health board names have 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. A link to the statement from the minister for health and social service can be found in the weblinks section.
- Statistical quality
Suspension of Betsi Cadwaladr health board data
Due to data quality concerns, referral to treatment (RTT) data for Betsi Cadwaladr University (BCU) health board have been temporarily suspended. These concerns include anomalies in reported waiting list sizes and inconsistencies with operational activity levels, which have raised questions about the reliability of the data submitted. This suspension will remain in place until an external investigation into the quality and governance of the data is completed.
In the interim, RTT statistics will be published excluding BCU data. Figures have been updated to September 2025 for the six health boards, but BCU and Wales data have not. Data up to August 2025 have been retained for BCU and Wales and will remain pending the outcome of the review.
The chief statistician has published a blog describing the current situation with BCU data and the actions being undertaken to address the issues.
Guidance on interpreting Wales and BCU data
Although we recognise some recent months may be affected by the BCU data quality issues, we have retained the BCU and Wales data to August 2025. Some revisions may be made to the historic BCU data following the review, however these are not expected to be substantial. Some caution should be exercised when using the recent BCU data, and by extension, the Wales totals. When using Wales-level data, note that recent monthly figures may be revised in future, so avoid drawing firm conclusions from short-term fluctuations. For small groups, such as patients waiting two years, figures may change more noticeably because of their size. Any revisions will have a greater impact on BCU than Wales overall, but long-term patterns for both should be broadly reliable.
A referral to treatment pathway (RTT) 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.
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 main activity measure for referral to treatment time is 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’.
A patient pathway is closed if either the patient starts treatment, or if following consultation with a hospital specialist, 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 Patients with complex needs may have referrals for multiple types of treatments so may have many pathways opened and will appear in the dataset more than one time. This means that the same patient can have different pathways counted in the calculations for both targets.
In March 2016, we changed some of the terminology used in referral to treatment reporting. Previously, when publishing these statistics, we used the terminology ‘patients’. However, some users misinterpreted this as unique patients. It is possible that a person could be on a number of different lists waiting for different conditions – i.e. there would be one patient but more than one pathway. Due to the RTT dataset being an aggregate data collection we’re not able to measure the number of unique patients. Therefore, we are using the terminology ‘patient pathways’, to better reflect the fact that one person can be on multiple waiting lists. The methodology use to measure and calculate these statistics has not changed. This is also more consistent with the other nations of the UK in their reporting of RTT.
From April 2016, there has been a change in the treatment function codes submitted by the local health boards.
More detailed treatment functions have been introduced recently but have not been used consistently across all Local Health Boards; for example, patients receiving vascular surgery may have been recorded in either “General Surgery” or “Vascular Surgery” treatment functions. To reduce uncertainty and make counts more reliable, the new functions will be removed temporarily and treatment functions will be recorded under the more general headings; for example, all patients receiving vascular surgery will now be published under “General Surgery” until consistent recording of treatment functions is confirmed across all Local Health Boards. This has now been fully actioned back to April 2016 when the new codes were introduced and will remain under general headings until the more detailed treatment functions are used consistently across Wales.
Published by
- Organisation
- Welsh Government
- Contact email
- stats.healthinfo@gov.wales