Wye Valley NHS Trust and NHS leaders in the Midlands have today thanked staff working across the region for helping to reduce waiting lists while supporting people who often need lifechanging surgery.
The Government set a national target for 65 per cent of patients to be seen within 18 weeks for elective treatment (planned surgery) by March this year. The latest figures, released this week, confirm that the NHS has delivered this goal, despite needing to postpone elective appointments, tests and surgeries due to Industrial Action.
Wye Valley NHS Trust has exceeded its 18-week target for elective treatment for 2025/26. In March last year, just over 56% of patients waiting for treatment were seen within 18 weeks. Thanks to the exceptional efforts of colleagues across the Trust to ensure local people receive timely care, this figure has risen to more than 67%. In addition, the number of patients waiting over a year has been significantly reduced, now accounting for just 0.7% of patients.
Progress on the waiting list comes on the back of a year where the NHS performed the highest number of surgeries, tests, checks and elective appointments.
Dr Jess Sokolov, Regional Medical Director for NHSE in the Midlands, said: “Staff working across the NHS have pulled out all the stops to help people who have often been waiting too long for lifechanging surgery.
“Delays to planned procedures have a massive human cost in terms of the growing loss of independence or risk of accidents as a patient’s health deteriorates. That’s why we want more people to be seen within the 18 week time frame and return to their best health as soon as possible.”
Dr Sokolov emphasised that local providers have each played a part in the national effort to deliver the 65% 18 week-wait target, while maintaining a range of other clinical standards, and should be proud of their contribution. “I want to thank everyone working in local health services for their commitment to improving standards while carrying out more tests, checks and elective appointments than any other year.”
Andy Parker, chief operating officer at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud of our staff and their continued dedication. Colleagues have worked tirelessly and with real innovation to help reduce waiting times and ensure patients can access the care they need as quickly as possible.
“While we recognise there is still more to do, we remain fully committed to further improving access for our patients. Behind the scenes, we are continuing to increase capacity and boost productivity through a range of initiatives, including our new surgical hub, diagnostic centre, an additional Theatre that will open in the autumn of 2026, and a number of outpatient and elective care improvements.”
Ends
Notes to Editors WVT:
- Wye Valley NHS Trust is a provider of health services across Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust exists to improve the wellbeing, independence and health of the people we serve.
- By working closely with our partners, we can make good our promise to deliver a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our families and our friends.
- With an estimated annual turnover of around £400 million, we employ around 4,000 staff. We aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers with the wider community.
For further information please contact:
Fiona Gurney, communications officer, or John Burnett, Communication and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 372928