NHS England has reported a record September for A&E attendances and ambulance incidents, with 2.44 million patients attending A&E and 806,707 ambulance incidents recorded. This data, published today, indicates the busiest September ever for both services.
Professor Frankie Swords, NHS England’s National Medical Director, stated that despite record levels of elective care delivered over the summer, winter pressure is already building. She noted an increase in patients, including children, arriving at A&E with flu and other respiratory viruses.
In September, the average occupancy of acute hospital beds for adults was 94.9%, an increase from 94.3% in August 2026 and 94.7% in September last year. Over 13,600 adult patients per day in September were medically fit for discharge but remained in hospital beds.
The overall waiting list for planned treatments increased to 7.4 million in August, an increase of 41,848 compared to July 2026. However, key cancer waiting times for diagnosis and starting treatment in August improved compared to the same month last year.