PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Introduce maximum waiting times for urgent NHS treatment
Require NHS England to introduce legally enforceable maximum waiting time standards for patients referred urgently for diagnostic investigations and specialist treatment where delays may impact patient safety.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
21
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 21/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 21/100,000
Background
Many patients across the UK, including those with urgent referrals, face long waits for diagnostic tests and specialist treatment despite serious symptoms. Delays can worsen health conditions, increase anxiety and risk preventable harm. National waiting time protections would help ensure timely and safe access to care.