Since 2013, the statutory elective care waiting time standard has been that for 92% of elective care pathways, patients should begin treatment within 18 weeks from referral. This was last achieved in September 2015. As at January 2025, around 6.25 million people were waiting for elective care on 7.43 million pathways. Patients waited for up to 18 weeks on 4.37 million pathways (59%) and for more than 18 weeks on 3.06 million pathways.