The NHS data published on 12 June 2025 show that NHS waiting list has fallen to its lowest level in two years as health chiefs hailed staff for continuing to tackle demand and drive progress for patients.
The waiting list has fallen to 7.39 million, down from 7.42 million – the first time the waiting list has seen a reduction in April in 17 years (excluding the first year of the pandemic).
The NHS in London is also making progress in reducing the treatment waiting lists, with a growing proportion of patients waiting less than 18 weeks.
In May 2025, 61.1% of Londoners awaiting treatment were on the waiting list for less than 18 weeks. This is the highest proportion since November 2023. The NHS is working towards the 92% 18-week standard by March 2029.
In the local context, hopefully the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, which operates four hospitals including Northwick Park, Ealing, and Central Middlesex, and where most of the Brent and Harrow patients go for hospital treatment, would be able to reduce the waiting list.
The Trust has been identified as having some of the longest waiting times for operations in London. A significant portion of their patients (over half) are waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.
Commenting on the falling waiting list, Gareth Thomas, Labour MP for Harrow West, said: “After the Tories left waiting lists at a record high and patient satisfaction at a record low, hundreds of people across the borough were stuck left waiting for treatment”.
“That’s why falling waiting lists across London and across the country is such good news, as this Labour Government puts the NHS on the road to recovery”, he added.
The waiting list has fallen to 7.39 million, down from 7.42 million – the first time the waiting list has seen a reduction in April in 17 years (excluding the first year of the pandemic).
The NHS in London is also making progress in reducing the treatment waiting lists, with a growing proportion of patients waiting less than 18 weeks.
In May 2025, 61.1% of Londoners awaiting treatment were on the waiting list for less than 18 weeks. This is the highest proportion since November 2023. The NHS is working towards the 92% 18-week standard by March 2029.
In the local context, hopefully the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, which operates four hospitals including Northwick Park, Ealing, and Central Middlesex, and where most of the Brent and Harrow patients go for hospital treatment, would be able to reduce the waiting list.
The Trust has been identified as having some of the longest waiting times for operations in London. A significant portion of their patients (over half) are waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.
Commenting on the falling waiting list, Gareth Thomas, Labour MP for Harrow West, said: “After the Tories left waiting lists at a record high and patient satisfaction at a record low, hundreds of people across the borough were stuck left waiting for treatment”.
“That’s why falling waiting lists across London and across the country is such good news, as this Labour Government puts the NHS on the road to recovery”, he added.
Harrow Monitoring Group 