English health boards set mandatory 12-16 week waits for elective surgeries, sparking criticism
An investigation found that many NHS integrated care boards in England impose minimum 12-16 week waits for elective procedures, prompting concern from clinicians.
A BMJ analysis, based on Freedom of Information data from 35 English integrated care boards, revealed that 17 boards now enforce minimum waiting times of between 12 and 16 weeks for key elective procedures, including hip, knee and cataract surgery. West Yorkshire aims for 90% of patients to wait at least 16 weeks, citing flexibility to prioritize higher-risk cases, while Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin introduced a 16-week floor to promote fairness.
Other regions such as Birmingham, Humber and North Yorkshire, Hereford and Worcestershire, Dorset and Somerset have set similar thresholds ranging from 14 to 16 weeks. The presidents of the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of GPs expressed alarm that such blanket delays may worsen pain, limit mobility and create a postcode-based lottery. A Nuffield Trust analyst noted the policy could be a rational budgeting tool but questioned its fairness, and an NHS spokesperson reiterated that clinical need should still dictate treatment order.
