The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:
- meet identified user needs;
- are well explained and readily accessible;
- are produced according to sound methods, and
- are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest.
Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.
The latest monthly National Statistics on NHS Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times produced by the Department of Health were released on 17th May2012 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.
NHS RTT waiting times figures for March 2012 include data for England, Primary Care Trusts, Strategic Health Authorities, and NHS Trusts.
The key points from the latest release are:
- Data are published on consultant-led Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times for patients who were treated during March 2012. In total, 324,952 admitted patients and 888,765 non-admitted patients, for whom English commissioners are responsible, completed their RTT pathway during March 2012.
- At national level, 91.2% of admitted patients (measured on an adjusted basis) and 97.5% of non-admitted patients completed their RTT pathway within a maximum of 18 weeks. For patients still waiting for treatment (incomplete pathways) at the end of March 2012, 93.4% were waiting within 18 weeks.
- The 95th percentile time waited for patients completing an RTT pathway in March 2012 was 22.1 weeks for admitted patients and 15.8 weeks for non-admitted patients. For patients still waiting for treatment at the end of March 2012 the 95th percentile was 20.1 weeks.
- The average (median) time waited for patients completing an RTT pathway in March 2012 was 8.1 weeks for admitted patients and 3.6 weeks for non-admitted patients. For patients still waiting for treatment at the end of March 2012 the median waiting time was 5.2 weeks.
We welcome feedback on the content and presentation of RTT statistics within the Statistical Press Notice and those published on the DH website. If anyone has any comments on this, or any other issues regarding RTT data and statistics, then please email RTTdata@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Download full press release (PDF, 72K)
Download pre-release access list (PDF, 16K)
