A&E data for September 2026, published 8 October 2026 · Diagnostics (DM01) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026 · Referral to treatment (RTT) data for August 2026, published 8 October 2026
East Cheshire NHS Trust waiting times
Latest NHS England figures for A&E, diagnostic tests and planned treatment at East Cheshire NHS Trust, in the North West region.
A&E
In September 2026, 49.8% of the 4,811 people attending A&E at East Cheshire NHS Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 24.6 points below the England average of 74.4% and 22.0 points below the North West average of 71.8%. It ranks 120 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 18 of 18 in North West (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 49.2% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 854 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 490 waited more than 12 hours from the decision to admit them to being admitted.
Over the last 13 months the 4-hour figure has ranged from 43.0% (January 2026) to 54.3% (August 2026); it is up 4.2 points since September 2025.
East Cheshire: % within 4 hours of arrival England
Month by month
| Month | Within 4 hours | Attendances | 12-hour waits (decision to admit) | England within 4 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 49.8% | 4,811 | 490 | 74.4% |
| August 2026 | 54.3% | 4,568 | 397 | 75.0% |
| July 2026 | 53.7% | 4,860 | 306 | 75.4% |
| June 2026 | 51.6% | 4,826 | 389 | 75.0% |
| May 2026 | 49.3% | 4,877 | 328 | 75.7% |
| April 2026 | 53.0% | 4,551 | 317 | 76.9% |
| March 2026 | 50.8% | 4,503 | 388 | 77.1% |
| February 2026 | 47.3% | 3,998 | 470 | 74.1% |
| January 2026 | 43.0% | 4,483 | 384 | 72.5% |
| December 2025 | 52.2% | 4,590 | 285 | 73.8% |
| November 2025 | 50.7% | 4,671 | 549 | 74.2% |
| October 2025 | 48.6% | 4,781 | 256 | 74.2% |
| September 2025 | 45.6% | 4,599 | 385 | 75.1% |
Diagnostic tests
| Test | Waiting list | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting 13+ weeks | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI | 1,349 | 74.1% | 2 | 78.0% |
| CT | 530 | 90.2% | 0 | 88.8% |
| Ultrasound | 2,259 | 91.6% | 6 | 78.3% |
| Endoscopy | 767 | 82.9% | 8 | 69.6% |
MRI: % waiting under 6 weeks England
CT: % waiting under 6 weeks England
Ultrasound: % waiting under 6 weeks England
Endoscopy: % waiting under 6 weeks England
Planned treatment (referral to treatment)
At the end of August 2026, 15,700 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at East Cheshire NHS Trust. Half had waited less than 13.4 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 61.7% had waited under 18 weeks, 3.5 points below the England figure of 65.2%. The NHS constitution standard is 92% within 18 weeks.
| Specialty | Waiting | Median weeks | Under 18 weeks | Over 52 weeks | England median weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmology | 2,354 | 12.8 | 64.1% | 24 | 10.4 |
| Gynaecology | 2,322 | 15.2 | 55.9% | 95 | 14.2 |
| Trauma and Orthopaedic | 1,571 | 13.4 | 60.9% | 33 | 13.9 |
| Gastroenterology | 1,499 | 16.8 | 52.3% | 53 | 11.0 |
| Cardiology | 1,431 | 17.7 | 51.1% | 12 | 11.9 |
| Ear Nose and Throat | 1,365 | 12.8 | 62.0% | 8 | 15.4 |
| General Surgery | 1,270 | 12.8 | 63.9% | 18 | 12.8 |
| Urology | 1,195 | 13.2 | 64.0% | 25 | 12.2 |
East Cheshire: median RTT wait (weeks) England
Other trusts in North West
Frequently asked questions
What are A&E waiting times like at East Cheshire NHS Trust?
In September 2026, 49.8% of A&E attendances were dealt with within 4 hours, against 74.4% across England and the 95% standard.
How long is the waiting list at East Cheshire NHS Trust?
15,700 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at the end of August 2026, with a median wait of 13.4 weeks. 284 had waited over a year.
How long is the MRI wait at East Cheshire NHS Trust?
74.1% of the 1,349 people on the MRI waiting list had waited under 6 weeks at the end of August 2026.
How often are these figures updated?
NHS England publishes A&E, diagnostics (DM01) and referral to treatment (RTT) statistics every month, usually on the second Thursday. A&E figures cover the previous month; diagnostics and RTT figures are a month further behind. This site refreshes when new files are published.