Most hospitals in the West Midlands are successfully reducing waiting lists for planned treatment, according to data presented to the NHS Birmingham and Solihull (BSOL) and NHS Black Country Joint ICB Cluster Board this week.
The figures show encouraging progress for elective care, which covers non-life-threatening medical procedures such as scans, outpatient clinic visits, cataract removals, and hip and knee replacements.
In June this year, BSOL reported that 0.7 per cent of patients had been waiting more than 52 weeks for an operation, while the Black Country recorded 0.31 per cent. Both figures are below the national target of one per cent.
Progress against 18-week standard
Both areas are also working towards the national target of 70 per cent of patients waiting less than 18 weeks for elective care treatment by March 2027.
BSOL experienced a decrease in June 2026, falling to 62 per cent from 67 per cent in the previous month. However, the Black Country achieved 64.3 per cent in June, with all its trusts ahead of plan at this point of the year.
Among the Black Country trusts, Dudley Group Foundation Trust achieved 65 per cent against a plan of 64.1 per cent, while Sandwell and West Birmingham reached 61.8 per cent against a plan of 59.9 per cent. Royal Wolverhampton Trust hit 62 per cent, above its plan of 61.95 per cent, and Walsall Healthcare Trust met its 74.8 per cent target for the month.
Continued efforts to reduce waits
Both areas said work continues to improve the situation and cut waiting lists further. This includes holding regular meetings to assess progress and take necessary actions to keep trusts on track.
