Petition
Introduce maximum waiting times for urgent NHS treatment
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
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.
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.
Why it was rejected
The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.
There are already maximum waiting times for services commissioned by the NHS in England. We're therefore not exactly sure what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do. You can find out more here:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/guide-to-nhs-waiting-times-in-england
You could start a new petition explaining exactly what you'd like to see. For example, we could accept a petition calling for a specific change to the current maximum waiting times, if that's something that you'd like to see.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/guide-to-nhs-waiting-times-in-england
You could start a new petition explaining exactly what you'd like to see. For example, we could accept a petition calling for a specific change to the current maximum waiting times, if that's something that you'd like to see.
Timeline
| 20 Feb 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 25 Mar 2026 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
25 Mar 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 27 Jul 2026.