Royal Papworth Hospital wins £2m for cutting waits
By March 2029, the government wants 95% of patients to start treatment within 18 weeks of referral – a key manifesto pledge. NHS England introduced financial incentives to encourage trusts to meet the standard.
However, the Health Foundation has said rising referrals in England have made reducing waiting lists harder.
In October, waiting lists in England grew for the third month in a row, putting the target at risk.
Royal Papworth has virtually eliminated waits of more than 12 months, although seven patients – some referred from other hospitals – remain in that position.
Roderick Starksfield, 81, from Gamlingay in Cambridgeshire, waited more than a year for a heart valve replacement but has now had the procedure.
"Before the procedure my life was awkward. I needed to hold on to furniture to walk and was constantly breathless," he said.
"Now I feel absolutely fantastic.
"I can walk freely again and breathe easily. I have a boat on the Norfolk Broads - I can't wait to get back on."
The hospitals receiving £2m
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
- Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
- Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool
- London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospital Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
Royal Papworth medical director Dr Ian Smith said shorter waits meant patients got relief from symptoms sooner and recovered faster.
"People treated earlier are less deconditioned, which improves outcomes and shortens recovery times," he added.
In April 2025, 63% of Royal Papworth patients were seen within 18 weeks.
By September, that figure had risen to 72.1%.
The data refers to operations, procedures and clinic appointments.
During the same period, the waiting list fell by 20% – from 7,403 patients in April to 5,893 in October.
The hospital does not have an A&E department, making bed planning more predictable and reducing cancellations. The figures also include day procedures and clinics that have shorter waits, such as the sleep clinic.
Mr McEnroe said: "We understand how difficult it can be for people to live well while they wait, and we will use this funding to support further improvement in patient care and clinical services."
- NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care were approached for comment.
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