NHS diagnostic test waiting lists have seen a significant increase of 11.7 percent over the past year, according to new figures. This surge means that at the end of January 2026, nearly 1.8 million patients were awaiting crucial diagnostic tests such as MRI scans, CT scans, ultrasounds, endoscopies, and various heart investigations. This represents an increase of almost 190,000 patients compared to January 2025.

The prolonged waits for these essential tests can have severe consequences, often delaying the diagnosis and subsequent treatment for serious conditions like cancer and heart disease. Despite NHS rules stipulating that no more than one percent of patients should wait longer than six weeks for these procedures, current data reveals a concerning reality: approximately a quarter of all patients, equating to about 447,000 individuals, are experiencing waits of six weeks or more for one of the 15 key diagnostic tests. This figure marks an increase of roughly 84,000 patients (2.3 percent) compared to the same period last year.

This pressure on diagnostic services is indicative of a broader strain on the NHS, which is also grappling with record demand for mental health services. In January, the number of people in contact with NHS mental health services exceeded 2.2 million, a substantial rise from 2.04 million in January 2025 and 1.39 million in January 2020. This underscores a systemic challenge across multiple facets of healthcare provision.

Paradoxically, amidst these rising pressures, the overall referral to treatment (RTT) waiting list has shown a positive trend, falling to 7.25 million—its lowest level in almost three years. This is 44,000 fewer than the previous month and 180,000 fewer than in January 2025. NHS England attributes this reduction to the health service successfully navigating its busiest winter on record, characterized by over 9 million A&E attendances and unprecedented ambulance demand. NHS leaders acknowledge progress in tackling backlogs but stress that there is "far more to do" to reduce waiting times across the health service.

For patients, these delays in diagnostic tests and subsequent treatment translate into months of uncertainty and anxiety. Brett Hill, Head of Health and Protection at Broadstone, an independent financial consultancy, commented on this situation, stating, 'While the referral to treatment waiting list may be at its lowest level in three years, this positive trend masks a troubling reality. More people are waiting for diagnostic tests - effectively on a waiting list to get on the waiting list - while mental health services are in record demand. Early detection through preventative health services is increasingly important to prevent conditions from becoming chronic.'

Further exacerbating the situation are previous reports indicating the NHS is consistently failing to meet key cancer targets. Some cancer patients face waits exceeding 104 days from referral to treatment. Almost all trusts have failed to meet the longstanding 62-day standard, which mandates that 85 percent of patients should begin treatment within this timeframe; the worst-performing hospitals treat less than half of patients on time. Delays in diagnostic tests directly contribute to these long waits for cancer treatment, potentially reducing survival chances, making treatments less effective, and intensifying patient anxiety. Nationally, the 85 percent target for treatment within 62 days has not been met since 2014.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, acknowledged the challenges but highlighted the NHS's resilience during the winter period. She stated, 'The NHS was ready to tackle winter head on this year, which is why, despite record-breaking demand, staff have delivered the shortest winter waiting times for four years while waiting lists have continued to fall. This is proof that the NHS is starting to turn a corner for patients - but we know the job is far from done.' Professor Pandit also emphasized a 'zero-tolerance approach' to patients being treated in hospital corridors to ensure dignity and thanked the public for their support, including getting vital winter jabs, which had a 'huge impact.'