An expert has listed five essential questions he claims more NHS patients should ask, as they may help speed up their care. His advice comes as he strongly urges anyone stuck on NHS waiting lists to explore alternative treatment options amid widespread delays in care.
Reports show that more than half of NHS Trusts have enforced minimum waiting times of 12-16 weeks for common elective procedures, including hip, knee, and cataract surgeries. These lengthy delays currently leave thousands of people waiting for necessary medical care.
Waiting time statistics
Recent performance metrics highlight the extent of these delays. According to analysis from the Nuffield Trust, only 65.8% of patients started non-urgent, consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks as of June 2026, falling well short of the 92% operational target.
Additional data from NHS England reveal further waiting times. Stats show that in specialisms with the longest backlogs, nearly half of all patients are waiting more than 18 weeks for their treatment to begin.
Patient rights and alternative providers
Experts stress that many patients are unaware of their right to request alternative NHS treatment providers when facing lengthy delays. Because waiting times vary considerably between different hospitals and treatment centres, simply asking whether another provider can deliver care sooner could lead to significantly faster treatment and improved overall health outcomes.
Mark Noble, CEO at health insurance intermediary Usay Compare, has a list of potential questions patients could ask when facing a delay. He has also claimed that patients often don’t realise that they have a choice about their treatment.
He said: "Lengthy waiting lists for NHS patients are common, but many patients don’t realise that wait times fluctuate between different trusts. Asking for a change could see a huge reduction in waiting times for some people.
"Many patients are unaware that they are well within their rights to ask if there may be other options when it comes to where they receive treatment. Waiting times can vary significantly between hospitals and treatment centres, so it's worth asking whether there are alternative providers available through the NHS.
"Travelling for treatment might not be feasible for everyone, but some people are more than happy to travel to save on waiting time. Exploring all available routes could help you access consultations, scans or procedures sooner and reduce the amount of time you're living with symptoms."
Questions to ask when facing a delay
- "Are there any other NHS hospitals or treatment centres with shorter waiting times for my procedure?"
- "Are there any NHS-funded independent hospitals that offer this treatment sooner?"
- "Can I see waiting-time information for alternative providers before deciding?"
- "If I'm expected to wait beyond 18 weeks, what alternative options are available?"
- "Would travelling to another hospital reduce my waiting time?"
