Thousands more patients across the South West are waiting less time for treatment, as the region has beaten a key NHS target after a major drive to cut waits and boost access to care.

Since March 2025, the proportion of patients waiting 18 weeks or less has risen by 4.3 percentage points*, driven by new community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs, wider use of robotic surgery, earlier specialist advice before referral, better use of theatre space and regular reviews of waiting lists.

New figures published today show the South West saw 67.5%* of patients waiting no more than 18 weeks by March 2026, up from 63.2%* a year earlier. That means the region not only beat the national 65% target, but also ranked joint best in the country for planned care alongside the North East and Yorkshire.

The milestone is an important step towards the wider national ambition of treating 92% of patients within 18 weeks by March 2029.

NHS England South West Regional Medical Director, Dr Trevor Smith, said: “It is encouraging to see real momentum in how quickly people are starting treatment after referral.

“While we still have further to go to reach the 92% national standard, the progress made across the region is good news for patients.

“Major initiatives such as our surgical hubs have helped us treat people more quickly. Because these units are separate from acute hospitals, they are better protected from urgent and emergency care pressures that can lead to operations being postponed.

“But much of this improvement has also come from the hard work and dedication of staff, who are making every stage of elective care as efficient as possible.

“I want to thank all the staff who have helped deliver faster care and a better experience for people across the South West.”

Royal United Hospitals Bath is among the organisations driving that progress, cutting the number of people waiting more than 18 weeks by 4,200 over the past year. In March 2026, it saw 69.1%* of patients waiting no more than 18 weeks, up from 60.5%* in March 2025.

That improvement has been supported by the Sulis Community Diagnostics Centre, which saw 32,000 patients last year, and the Sulis Orthopaedic Centre, which carried out more than 1,000 NHS operations.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has delivered above the 65% target, with 73.6%* of patients waiting no more than 18 weeks in March 2026.

The hospital has also improved access through Community Appointment Days, working with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and the integrated care board to bring joined-up care closer to home. Clinics are held in community venues and bring together hospital, primary care, community and voluntary services in one visit.

One Ear, Nose and Throat Community Appointment Day at Paradise Park in Hayle in November 2025 saw 80 children, with families also able to access wider health and wellbeing support. The trust held its third paediatric outpatient Community Appointment Day in March 2026.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has also beaten the 65% target, with 66.4%* of patients waiting no more than 18 weeks in March 2026. It has also cut the number of people waiting more than 78 weeks to zero, reduced waits of more than 65 weeks to fewer than 50 and is now delivering 114% of its pre-pandemic activity.

Thanks to its team’s hard work and £15million capital investment to increase surgical capacity for common surgical procedures such as cataract surgeries and hip replacements, people are now being seen and treated quicker, and in many cases able to return home the same day.

The day case theatres, including ophthalmology, at Torbay Hospital are among the strongest performing surgical hubs in the South West and recently received national accreditation in recognition of the standard of care being delivered by local teams.

The South West is not only treating people sooner, but treating more people too. In 2025, more than one million people had operations in the region – almost a fifth more than in 2019.

Dr Smith added: “The pandemic had a major impact on waiting times, but we are determined to keep building on this progress so more patients get the care they need as quickly as possible.”

*Figures relate to acute hospital activity.

• The 18 Week Referral to Treatment measures the percentage of the waiting list waiting 18 weeks or less each month.
• By March 2029 we aim to have 92% of people waiting 18 weeks or less.