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
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust waiting times
Latest NHS England figures for A&E, diagnostic tests and planned treatment at North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust, in the North West region.
A&E
In September 2026, 75.2% of the 14,041 people attending A&E at North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 0.8 points above the England average of 74.4% and 3.4 points above the North West average of 71.8%. It ranks 43 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 4 of 18 in North West (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 54.9% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 1,706 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 856 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 62.6% (December 2025) to 76.8% (July 2026); it is up 10.4 points since September 2025.
North Cheshire and Mersey: % 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 | 75.2% | 14,041 | 856 | 74.4% |
| August 2026 | 75.5% | 13,479 | 882 | 75.0% |
| July 2026 | 76.8% | 13,955 | 841 | 75.4% |
| June 2026 | 75.3% | 13,969 | 916 | 75.0% |
| May 2026 | 75.2% | 13,886 | 770 | 75.7% |
| April 2026 | 76.4% | 13,669 | 756 | 76.9% |
| March 2026 | 66.0% | 10,384 | 909 | 77.1% |
| February 2026 | 62.6% | 8,796 | 825 | 74.1% |
| January 2026 | 63.3% | 9,757 | 1,063 | 72.5% |
| December 2025 | 62.6% | 10,106 | 772 | 73.8% |
| November 2025 | 64.9% | 10,236 | 922 | 74.2% |
| October 2025 | 63.0% | 10,668 | 988 | 74.2% |
| September 2025 | 64.8% | 10,080 | 891 | 75.1% |
Diagnostic tests
| Test | Waiting list | Waiting under 6 weeks | Waiting 13+ weeks | England under 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI | 1,341 | 99.3% | 0 | 78.0% |
| CT | 910 | 96.8% | 0 | 88.8% |
| Ultrasound | 1,853 | 100.0% | 0 | 78.3% |
| Endoscopy | 1,096 | 81.5% | 21 | 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, 35,458 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust. Half had waited less than 12.5 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 65.3% had waited under 18 weeks, 0.1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other - Surgicals | 5,664 | 12.9 | 61.6% | 69 | 11.4 |
| Gynaecology | 3,867 | 13.4 | 62.7% | 53 | 14.2 |
| Ear Nose and Throat | 3,680 | 16.5 | 54.4% | 37 | 15.4 |
| Trauma and Orthopaedic | 3,394 | 17.3 | 52.1% | 111 | 13.9 |
| Other - Medicals | 3,364 | 15.1 | 57.8% | 2 | 10.7 |
| Gastroenterology | 3,082 | 11.0 | 77.6% | 5 | 11.0 |
| Ophthalmology | 2,686 | 9.1 | 84.6% | 0 | 10.4 |
| Urology | 2,021 | 11.4 | 69.4% | 32 | 12.2 |
North Cheshire and Mersey: median RTT wait (weeks) England
Other trusts in North West
Frequently asked questions
What are A&E waiting times like at North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust?
In September 2026, 75.2% 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 North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust?
35,458 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at the end of August 2026, with a median wait of 12.5 weeks. 321 had waited over a year.
How long is the MRI wait at North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust?
99.3% of the 1,341 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.