ICBs told to ‘urgently review unacceptable waiting times’

NHS England has warned integrated care boards it is “not acceptable” to set “minimum waiting times” of more than 18 weeks for elective care.

The warning follows proposals by several ICBs to set minimum waiting times above the 18-week statutory target. One system proposed a 28.5-week minimum wait for some procedures.

In an official briefing for NHS leaders, NHSE elective chief Mark Cubbon said: “I’m aware that some ICBs have set minimum waiting times above 18 weeks. This is not acceptable, given our commitment to the constitutional standard.

“These ICBs have been asked to urgently review their approach and work with providers to ensure patients can be treated sooner.”

The introduction of minimum waiting times prompted concerns from patient and clinical groups, who warned patients were facing “unnecessary pain”. The Nuffield Trust said the proposals gave “no clear process” to ICBs on how to ration funding and that this “will lead to inequity and undermine public trust in the NHS”.

Royal College of Surgeons vice president Frank Smith said: “It is deeply concerning that some ICBs have set minimum waits above 18 weeks. It is right NHS England intervenes, but this is another symptom of the NHS under severe strain.”

The Independent Healthcare Providers Network CEO David Hare said: “It is hard to see how minimum waits set even below [18 weeks] will support the government’s elective recovery targets and clear commitments to supporting and promoting patient choice.

“We know that many patients value the option of choosing a provider with a short waiting time and that a degree of contestability in the system drives up efficiency and productivity.”

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Source: HSJ, 3 September 2025