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 Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust waiting times
Latest NHS England figures for A&E, diagnostic tests and planned treatment at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, in the South East region, which serves Canterbury, Ashford.
A&E
In September 2026, 72.1% of the 26,960 people attending A&E at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 2.3 points below the England average of 74.4% and 4.1 points below the South East average of 76.2%. It ranks 62 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 11 of 17 in South East (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 50.9% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 3,592 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 1,079 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 70.1% (August 2026) to 77.2% (November 2025); it is down 3.1 points since September 2025.
East Kent Hospitals University: % 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 | 72.1% | 26,960 | 1,079 | 74.4% |
| August 2026 | 70.1% | 25,966 | 1,106 | 75.0% |
| July 2026 | 73.7% | 27,347 | 1,074 | 75.4% |
| June 2026 | 75.3% | 27,432 | 1,059 | 75.0% |
| May 2026 | 76.2% | 27,200 | 981 | 75.7% |
| April 2026 | 76.3% | 25,316 | 1,050 | 76.9% |
| March 2026 | 74.3% | 28,333 | 1,037 | 77.1% |
| February 2026 | 74.9% | 23,344 | 995 | 74.1% |
| January 2026 | 74.0% | 25,163 | 1,208 | 72.5% |
| December 2025 | 73.0% | 26,361 | 1,276 | 73.8% |
| November 2025 | 77.2% | 25,696 | 1,105 | 74.2% |
| October 2025 | 74.3% | 26,188 | 1,238 | 74.2% |
| September 2025 | 75.2% | 25,128 | 1,172 | 75.1% |
Diagnostic tests
| Test | Waiting list | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting 13+ weeks | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI | 12,727 | 51.7% | 863 | 78.0% |
| CT | 7,990 | 55.0% | 1,137 | 88.8% |
| Ultrasound | 11,064 | 32.2% | 3,904 | 78.3% |
| Endoscopy | 1,528 | 82.4% | 140 | 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, 85,395 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. Half had waited less than 15.7 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 55.4% had waited under 18 weeks, 9.8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ear Nose and Throat | 9,687 | 21.2 | 42.9% | 237 | 15.4 |
| General Surgery | 8,805 | 13.7 | 58.6% | 490 | 12.8 |
| Trauma and Orthopaedic | 8,187 | 20.7 | 44.0% | 319 | 13.9 |
| Gynaecology | 7,109 | 16.3 | 54.3% | 87 | 14.2 |
| Dermatology | 6,407 | 8.9 | 76.7% | 3 | 10.5 |
| Other - Surgicals | 5,879 | 16.7 | 53.2% | 160 | 11.4 |
| Ophthalmology | 5,544 | 13.4 | 60.7% | 163 | 10.4 |
| Cardiology | 5,300 | 17.9 | 50.1% | 608 | 11.9 |
East Kent Hospitals University: median RTT wait (weeks) England
Other trusts in South East
| Trust | A&E within 4 hours | MRI under 6 weeks | RTT median weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isle of Wight NHS Trust | 80.1% | 100.0% | 11.9 |
| Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust | 80.1% | 100.0% | 13.5 |
| Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 79.5% | 88.1% | 13.3 |
| Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust | 77.6% | 78.0% | 13.5 |
| Medway NHS Foundation Trust | 75.6% | 98.5% | 14.8 |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust | 75.3% | 83.7% | 13.2 |
| Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust | 74.9% | 99.0% | 11.5 |
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | 74.6% | 89.1% | 10.1 |
| East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 74.1% | 93.6% | 11.3 |
| Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust | 73.2% | 99.8% | 12.5 |
| Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust | 71.3% | 41.0% | 13.5 |
| University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust | 70.7% | 86.3% | 12.4 |
| Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 67.1% | 99.2% | 13.9 |
| Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 62.5% | 91.1% | 12.8 |
| University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust | 60.6% | 92.5% | 16.9 |
| Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | 52.1% | 73.9% | 12.6 |
Towns served
Frequently asked questions
What are A&E waiting times like at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust?
In September 2026, 72.1% 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 Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust?
85,395 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at the end of August 2026, with a median wait of 15.7 weeks. 2,623 had waited over a year.
How long is the MRI wait at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust?
51.7% of the 12,727 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.