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Health · 23 June 2026

NHS waiting lists climb, patients wait longer

NHS waiting lists climb, patients wait longer

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New data shows more people are waiting for NHS treatment, with diagnostic and emergency care facing increasing strain. Wales saw its total waiting lists increase by more than 13,000 in April, and in May, over 11,000 emergency department patients experienced waits exceeding 12 hours. Meanwhile, about a quarter of patients in England waited over six weeks for diagnostic tests in January.

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