From January 2009 no-one should wait more than 18 weeks from the time they are referred to the start of treatment, unless it is clinically appropriate or they choose to wait longer. The Referral To Treatment (RTT) data collections monitor the length of time from referral through to treatment, in order to monitor progress towards delivery of this target.
Monthly RTT data has been published since June 2007. Initially data was only published for patients whose RTT pathways ended in admission for treatment. Since November 2007, monthly data has also been published for non-admitted patients (those whose RTT pathways ended for reasons other than admission for treatment) and for incomplete pathways (those still active at the end of the reporting month). Adjusted admitted RTT data has been published since May 2008 - this data set reports admitted patient RTT times allowing for clock pauses, in line with published RTT clock rules.
The figures (latest shown below) are based on the patients for whom we have accurate RTT times. Data completeness indicators are published alongside the RTT data.
For further information about the above published statistics, please contact the 18 Weeks Measurement team:
Email: data18weeks@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Phone: 0113 254 5023
If you are a patient wishing to discuss your own waiting time experience, you should contact your local PCT, which you can find via the NHS Choices website:
