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

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust waiting times

Name: Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust waiting times
Creator: NHS England
License: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Latest NHS England figures for A&E, diagnostic tests and planned treatment at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, in the North West region, which serves Salford.

A&E

70.0%of A&E attendances admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours (September 2026)

61.5%within 4 hours at the main (type 1) A&E

36,218A&E attendances in the month

1,103waited over 12 hours from decision to admit

In September 2026, 70.0% of the 36,218 people attending A&E at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust were admitted, transferred or discharged within 4 hours. That is 4.4 points below the England average of 74.4% and 1.8 points below the North West average of 71.8%. It ranks 77 of 120 trusts with a major A&E in England and 10 of 18 in North West (1 = highest share within 4 hours). At the main emergency department (type 1), 61.5% spent 4 hours or less, against 60.6% across England. 8,258 patients were admitted as emergencies through A&E, and 1,103 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 68.3% (November 2025) to 73.6% (March 2026); it is down 1.4 points since September 2025.

Northern Care Alliance: % 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	70.0%	36,218	1,103	74.4%
August 2026	71.7%	34,485	794	75.0%
July 2026	71.1%	37,198	902	75.4%
June 2026	71.0%	37,080	1,231	75.0%
May 2026	73.5%	36,775	1,251	75.7%
April 2026	73.1%	35,141	1,242	76.9%
March 2026	73.6%	36,311	1,124	77.1%
February 2026	69.0%	31,715	1,246	74.1%
January 2026	70.3%	36,255	1,610	72.5%
December 2025	69.1%	36,401	1,085	73.8%
November 2025	68.3%	36,217	1,068	74.2%
October 2025	69.4%	36,996	1,237	74.2%
September 2025	71.4%	35,908	1,095	75.1%

Diagnostic tests

Diagnostic waiting lists at Northern Care Alliance, end of August 2026
Test	Waiting list	Waiting under 6 weeks	Waiting 13+ weeks	England under 6 weeks
MRI	7,627	90.7%	8	78.0%
CT	2,125	96.0%	2	88.8%
Ultrasound	4,205	92.9%	4	78.3%
Endoscopy	4,724	58.3%	776	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)

15.5 wksmedian wait (England 12.2 weeks)

55.8%waiting under 18 weeks (England 65.2%)

136,973people waiting for consultant-led treatment

3,932waiting over 52 weeks

At the end of August 2026, 136,973 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. Half had waited less than 15.5 weeks (England: 12.2 weeks) and 55.8% had waited under 18 weeks, 9.4 points below the England figure of 65.2%. The NHS constitution standard is 92% within 18 weeks.

Largest specialty waiting lists
Specialty	Waiting	Median weeks	Under 18 weeks	Over 52 weeks	England median weeks
Neurology	17,053	13.2	61.3%	156	13.2
Dermatology	15,617	18.3	49.2%	53	10.5
Trauma and Orthopaedic	14,823	15.7	54.3%	686	13.9
Gastroenterology	14,113	15.2	56.6%	332	11.0
Gynaecology	10,229	19.1	47.5%	831	14.2
Ear Nose and Throat	9,751	15.9	54.8%	303	15.4
Other - Surgicals	8,452	13.0	60.5%	247	11.4
Urology	7,581	15.8	54.3%	217	12.2

Northern Care Alliance: median RTT wait (weeks) England

Other trusts in North West

Trust	A&E within 4 hours	MRI under 6 weeks	RTT median weeks
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust	85.9%	100.0%	12.4
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	76.0%	76.7%	14.5
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust	75.6%	100.0%	9.4
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust	75.2%	99.3%	12.5
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust	73.5%	91.8%	10.8
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust	73.3%	86.2%	12.1
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	73.0%	96.4%	14.2
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust	71.7%	86.8%	12.8
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust	70.2%	99.4%	12.9
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	69.0%	96.5%	13.6
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	66.7%	90.5%	12.9
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust	65.2%	92.2%	10.6
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust	63.3%	98.6%	13.3
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust	61.8%	92.1%	11.4
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust	60.0%	100.0%	8.9
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust	53.4%	98.1%	12.0
East Cheshire NHS Trust	49.8%	74.1%	13.4

Towns served

Salford · A&E · MRI

Frequently asked questions

What are A&E waiting times like at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust?

In September 2026, 70.0% 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 Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust?

136,973 people were waiting to start consultant-led treatment at the end of August 2026, with a median wait of 15.5 weeks. 3,932 had waited over a year.

How long is the MRI wait at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust?

90.7% of the 7,627 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.