Community waits over 52 weeks rise to 87,125

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A total of 87,125 patients were waiting more than 52 weeks for community health services in November 2025, according to the NHS England Integrated Performance Report presented to the Board in February 2026. 

This represents: 

  • An increase of 1,007 patients (+1.2%) compared with October 2025 
  • An increase of 31,567 patients (+56.8%) compared with November 2024 

The figures relate to patients waiting over one year for community services. 

 

Autism diagnostic waits 

The same report states that in December 2025, 10,481 people were waiting more than 13 weeks for an autism diagnosis. 

This figure represents: 

  • An increase compared with November 2025 
  • An increase compared with December 2024 

The report does not provide percentage changes within the summary text but presents the direction of movement as upward. 

 

Wider performance context 

The Board paper presents the community waiting time figures alongside other performance metrics, including elective waiting lists and urgent and emergency care performance. 

No constitutional standard equivalent to the 18-week RTT target applies to community 52-week waits. The report presents the data descriptively and does not specify a national target for this measure within the February paper. 

 

Source 

  • NHS England. Integrated Performance Report, Board Paper, February 2026 (Item 4.1).

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