From Cancer waiting times 1 January to 31 March 2026 published today:

There were 4,668 eligible referrals where the 62-day standard applied, a decrease of 2.7% from the previous quarter, but an increase of 25.4% from the quarter ending 31 December 2019, the last full quarter pre‑pandemic. 72.2% of patients started treatment within 62 days, compared with 72.6% in the previous quarter.

There were 7,225 eligible referrals where the 31-day standard applied, a decrease of 2.0% from the previous quarter, but an increase of 13.1% from the quarter ending 31 December 2019. 94.5% of patients started treatment within 31 days, compared with 95.6% in the previous quarter, and 96.5% in the quarter ending 31 December 2019.

Before we go any further, see a big news story there being total ignored? There were 25.4% more referred under the 62-day standard and 13.1% more referred under the 31-day standard than had been in the days before the pandemic at the end of 2019. Performance at the end of 2019 had been 83.7% and 96.5%. They had 25% and 13% fewer patients and yet did not perform, I’d guess, 25% and 13% better.

NHS England does not publish quarterly data for comparison but does provide annual figures:

For NHS England:

62-day Combined Standard – 12-month average for 2025: 69.4% .

31-day Combined Standard 12-month average for 2025: 91.8%.

NHS Scotland annual data can be produced from the supplementary file table and from them we get for 2025, 70.5% and 95% respectively.

Analysis

BBC Scotland and many ornery Joes will say there is little difference there but even the 1.1 difference for the 62-day target is 1% of the around 20 000 who were referred – 200 people who were treated on time who would not have been had they lived in England.

As for the 31-day target, that 3.2% is of around 30 000 referred or 10 000 who were treated on time who would not have been had they lived in England.

Sources:

https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/cancer-waiting-times/cancer-waiting-times-1-january-to-31-march-2026

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Cancer-Waiting-Times-Statistical-Release-March-2026-Provider-based-Provisional.pdf

https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/cancer-waiting-times/cancer-waiting-times-1-january-to-31-march-2026