Validations restrain the growing waiting list

Unreported removals from the referral-to-treatment (RTT) waiting list increased in June, reaching levels normally associated with “validation sprints”. The surge was big enough to stop the waiting list from growing, but not nearly enough to put the headline figures on track for “18 weeks” recovery.

Over the past five years (and since the covid shutdowns), unreported removals from the RTT waiting list have averaged 14%of total removals. Unreported removals comprise any change in the waiting list that cannot be explained by the other data.

When they increase suddenly, it is usually a sign that NHS trusts have stepped up efforts to remove patients who are on the waiting list in error (for instance, because they were treated some time ago, but were not correctly removed from the waiting list).

In June, unreported removals increased to 16.1%, which is well above the 14% average and close to levels seen in the recent “validation sprints” sponsored by NHSE (for instance, 17.1% in March, and 16.5 and 16.2%, respectively, in  April and May last year).

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Source: HSJ, 14 August 2026