News · 20 January 2026
England Hospitals Face Worsening Wait Times Despite Government Efforts
Swampyank via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Despite government plans to address treatment backlogs, nearly a quarter of hospitals in England have seen waiting times worsen, according to a BBC analysis. Challenges include staffing shortages, doctor strikes, and IT system issues. Many patients, like Mary Waterhouse from Blackpool, experience significant delays, impacting their quality of life. The 18-week waiting target for treatments is not being met by some hospitals, leaving patients with conditions like arthritis waiting extended periods for assessment and treatment.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs