The Gera NHS Waiting Times Index

Gera NHS Waiting Times Index: FAQs

What is the Gera NHS Waiting Times Index?

The Gera NHS Waiting Times Index (GNWI) is a single 0–100 score that summarises how far NHS England elective (Referral-to-Treatment) waiting times are from the standard patients are entitled to. 100 means the NHS Constitution's 18-week standard is met with no year-plus waits; lower means longer waits. For April 2026 the national index is 70.8 / 100. It is computed transparently from real NHS England RTT figures — the full formula is published on the methodology page.

How is the index calculated?

It combines two official NHS accountability metrics. The standard component scores the share of patients seen within 18 weeks against the NHS Constitution's 92% standard (weighted 80%). The long-wait component scores the share still waiting over 52 weeks against a zero-tolerance reference ceiling of 5% (weighted 20%). GNWI = 0.8 × standard + 0.2 × long-wait, rounded to one decimal place. Every input is the real published NHS number; only the scaling and weighting are Gera's, and both are fully disclosed.

What does the index say right now?

For April 2026, the national Gera NHS Waiting Times Index is 70.8 / 100. 64.9% of the 7,123,980 incomplete pathways were within 18 weeks (against the 92% standard), the median wait was 11.9 weeks, and 100,665 people had waited more than a year.

Which specialty has the longest NHS waits?

Of 23 treatment functions, Oral Surgery scores lowest on the Gera NHS Waiting Times Index at 58.5 / 100 (54.9% within 18 weeks, median 15.2 weeks), while Elderly Medicine scores highest at 89.3 / 100 (82.4% within 18 weeks).

Which part of England has the longest NHS waits?

Across the 7 NHS England regions, East of England scores lowest on the index at 63.5 / 100 (60.9% within 18 weeks, median 13.1 weeks), and South West scores highest at 75.3 / 100 (68.1% within 18 weeks). Regional figures use NHS England's commissioner-based file from the same release.

Is a higher score good or bad?

Higher is better: a higher Gera NHS Waiting Times Index means waiting times are closer to the NHS standard (more patients seen within 18 weeks and fewer waiting over a year). A score of 100 would mean the 92% 18-week standard is met with nobody waiting more than a year. No region or specialty currently reaches 100.

How often is the index updated?

NHS England publishes RTT waiting-times data monthly, roughly six weeks after the reference month. Gera recomputes the index on each release. The figures on this page are for April 2026 and were last recomputed on 19 June 2026.

What does the index NOT show?

The index covers consultant-led elective (RTT) waits to START treatment in England only. It does not cover A&E, cancer 62-day, diagnostic, mental-health talking-therapy, GP or dental waits, and it is not provider- or hospital-level. It is a summary of national/regional and specialty figures, not clinical advice about your own wait. Always check with your own NHS provider for your personal pathway.

Can I be seen sooner than the NHS waiting time?

Many people waiting for a routine NHS appointment use a private online GP or specialist consultation to get advice, a prescription or a referral sooner, while remaining on the NHS list. GeraClinic connects patients with UK-registered doctors for video consultations; it is a private telemedicine service and is not part of, or affiliated with, the NHS.