According to new figures, March was the busiest month ever for A&Es. There were a record breaking 2.43 million total A&E attendances in March – 16,000 more than the previous record high in May 2024.
The increase was partly driven by a meningitis outbreak, which saw an increase in demand.
However, almost four in five patients arriving in A&E were seen within four hours (77.1 per cent) – the best performance since July 2021.
Meanwhile, the total waiting list decreased to 7.22 million in February 2026, with a decrease of 31,006 compared to January 2026 and more than 400,000 compared to July 2024.
Data also shows the NHS is diagnosing or giving cancer patients the all clear within four weeks more quickly than at any point on record.
Ambulance response times for the most serious incidents, were also the fastest in almost five years, averaging 26:18 in March — the best performance since May 2021.
The NHS also carried out a record 29,863,709 tests and checks between March 2025 and February 2026, over one million more than the previous year.
NHS Deputy CEO and Medical Director Professor Meghana Pandit said: “I am incredibly proud of the work that NHS staff have put in over the past year to get us within touching distance of our elective recovery target.
“This progress has been achieved despite the busiest winter on record and disruption caused by industrial action. This shows the determination of staff to get back to delivering on their commitments no matter how challenging the circumstances have been.
“Pressure on services remain very high, with more people attending A&E in March than ever before, following prolonged winter demand.
“Despite this, NHS staff saw patients faster than at any point in recent years — as the NHS turnaround continues.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said: “We inherited an NHS going through the worst crisis in its history after years of neglect. Today’s figures show just how far we’ve come.
“Through the government’s investment and modernisation – and thanks to the extraordinary effort of NHS staff across the country – waiting lists are down by over 400,000. We’re diagnosing or giving the all clear to a record number of cancer patients on time- something I am personally invested in as a kidney cancer survivor. Ambulance and A&E waits are both at their best for almost half a decade.
“Lots done and so much more to do. Despite record pressures and strikes, we have come within a cat’s whisker of the ambitious targets we set ourselves. But it’s not enough. There are still too many patients waiting far too long. The NHS is on the road to recovery, and my foot is pressing down hard on the accelerator.”
