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 Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust waiting times
Latest NHS England figures for A&E, diagnostic tests and planned treatment at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, in the North West region, which serves Blackburn, Burnley.
A&E
In September 2026, 75.6% of the 25,242 people attending A&E at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 1.2 points above the England average of 74.4% and 3.8 points above the North West average of 71.8%. It ranks 34 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 3 of 18 in North West (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 62.5% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 4,074 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 814 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 75.6% (September 2026) to 81.3% (March 2026); it is down 3.9 points since September 2025.
East Lancashire Hospitals: % 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 | 75.6% | 25,242 | 814 | 74.4% |
| August 2026 | 77.4% | 24,351 | 863 | 75.0% |
| July 2026 | 79.2% | 26,251 | 855 | 75.4% |
| June 2026 | 78.0% | 26,377 | 755 | 75.0% |
| May 2026 | 79.9% | 26,385 | 1,112 | 75.7% |
| April 2026 | 79.5% | 25,370 | 1,084 | 76.9% |
| March 2026 | 81.3% | 25,345 | 977 | 77.1% |
| February 2026 | 78.0% | 22,234 | 1,059 | 74.1% |
| January 2026 | 77.4% | 24,861 | 1,407 | 72.5% |
| December 2025 | 77.8% | 24,319 | 1,139 | 73.8% |
| November 2025 | 78.5% | 24,886 | 1,284 | 74.2% |
| October 2025 | 78.4% | 25,981 | 1,380 | 74.2% |
| September 2025 | 79.5% | 24,194 | 978 | 75.1% |
Diagnostic tests
| Test | Waiting list | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting 13+ weeks | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI | 2,134 | 100.0% | 0 | 78.0% |
| CT | 1,649 | 100.0% | 0 | 88.8% |
| Ultrasound | 5,868 | 95.0% | 32 | 78.3% |
| Endoscopy | 1,682 | 95.7% | 25 | 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, 46,343 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. Half had waited less than 9.4 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 72.1% had waited under 18 weeks, 6.9 points above 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gynaecology | 7,278 | 14.1 | 60.3% | 143 | 14.2 |
| Trauma and Orthopaedic | 6,583 | 7.4 | 78.1% | 7 | 13.9 |
| Ophthalmology | 4,340 | 11.8 | 67.2% | 4 | 10.4 |
| Ear Nose and Throat | 3,545 | 7.4 | 78.8% | 0 | 15.4 |
| Oral Surgery | 3,537 | 11.1 | 62.6% | 10 | 16.4 |
| Other - Medicals | 3,412 | 10.1 | 74.3% | 6 | 10.7 |
| General Surgery | 3,145 | 12.3 | 64.0% | 0 | 12.8 |
| Other - Surgicals | 3,128 | 8.6 | 73.7% | 1 | 11.4 |
East Lancashire Hospitals: median RTT wait (weeks) England
Other trusts in North West
Towns served
Frequently asked questions
What are A&E waiting times like at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust?
In September 2026, 75.6% 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 Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust?
46,343 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at the end of August 2026, with a median wait of 9.4 weeks. 171 had waited over a year.
How long is the MRI wait at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust?
100.0% of the 2,134 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.