The latest monthly National Statistics on NHS Consultant-led Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times were released on 15^th August 2013 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

The key points from the latest release are:

• During June 2013, 91.7% of admitted patients and 97.4% of non-admitted patients started treatment within 18 weeks. For patients waiting to start treatment (incomplete pathways) at the end of June 2013, 94.6% were waiting within 18 weeks.

• 297,668 RTT patients started admitted treatment and 812,532 started non-admitted treatment during June 2013. The number of RTT patients waiting to start treatment at the end of June 2013 was around 2.88 million patients.

• The average (median) time waited for patients completing an RTT pathway in June 2013 was 8.7 weeks for admitted patients and 5.2 weeks for non-admitted patients. For patients waiting to start treatment at the end of June 2013 the median waiting time was 5.7 weeks.

• For patients waiting to start treatment (incomplete pathways) at the end of June 2013, 318 were waiting more than 52 weeks.

Detailed tables of waiting times by treatment function (specialty), commissioner and provider can be found here.

Revisions to RTT data for October 2012, December 2012, February 2013 and April 2013 were also published. The revisions have not had a significant impact at national level.

Download full press release (PDF, 57K)
Download pre-release access list (PDF 7K)

We welcome feedback on the content and presentation of RTT statistics within the Statistical Press Notice and those published on the NHS England website. If anyone has any comments on this, or any other issues regarding RTT data and statistics, then please email RTTdata@dh.gsi.gov.uk

The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:

• meet identified user needs;
• are well explained and readily accessible;
• are produced according to sound methods, and
• are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest.

Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.