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.

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

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 27 Jul 2026.