NHS Rights
NHS Minimum Standards for Planned Care: What Patients Should Expect
In July 2026 NHS England published eight minimum standards setting out what patients and unpaid carers should expect when referred for planned, non-urgent NHS care in England. Here is what each one says, what it does not mean, and what you can ask.
Who the standards apply to
Adults, children and young people referred for planned (non-urgent) NHS care in England, from when the referral is received by the hospital or clinic until treatment starts, the patient and clinician decide no treatment is needed, or the patient chooses not to go ahead.
On urgent pathways (for example suspected cancer) most standards still apply, but you may get less notice of appointments or fewer updates.
The eight standards
Standard 1: You will know when your referral is accepted
Published timing: Within 28 days of your referral being made you should receive confirmation of next steps.
28 days is the latest point by which you should be told what is happening next. Many people hear much sooner. Some referrals take longer to review where the hospital or clinic needs more information. If you are not placed on a waiting list, the provider should explain why and set out next steps.
- It does not mean you will be seen or treated within 28 days.
- It does not mean your referral will be accepted.
What you can ask: Contact the provider you were referred to and ask whether the referral was received, whether it has been accepted, and what happens next. If you cannot get an answer, your GP practice can advise.
Standard 2: Communication will be clear and easy to understand. If you, or your unpaid carer, have specific communications needs, you will have the opportunity to tell your provider these
Information about appointments, treatment and next steps should be clear, in a format that meets your needs (in line with the Accessible Information Standard). You can ask for someone you trust to support you, and say what can be shared with them.
- Information is only shared with others if you agree.
What you can ask: Tell the provider how you prefer to be contacted, any communication needs, and who (if anyone) may be contacted on your behalf.
Standard 3: When your referral is accepted, you will get information to help you while you wait
When accepted, you should get: how to contact the service for practical or administrative questions; who to contact if the condition you were referred for changes or worsens; and information to support you while you wait.
- The service contact is usually for practical questions, not for advice about symptoms.
What you can ask: If you did not receive contact details, ask the provider for the right phone number or email for practical questions about your referral.
Standard 4: You will get regular updates on your wait
Published timing: At least every 12 weeks while you are waiting.
The update should confirm you are still on the waiting list and explain any steps required. Some updates are part of waiting list validation, where hospitals check lists are up to date. You may be asked to reply.
- It does not tell you your position in the queue or an appointment date.
- If you are asked to reply to a validation message, not replying may matter — follow the instructions in the message.
What you can ask: If you have not had an update for more than 12 weeks, ask the provider to confirm you are still on the waiting list and whether anything is needed from you.
Standard 5: Before your appointments, you will be able to tell your provider of any additional needs and reasonable adjustments you require
You should be asked about additional needs when the referral is accepted and again before your appointment, and receive reasonable adjustments to help you attend.
What you can ask: Tell the provider about any adjustments you need and ask who to contact if they are not in place.
Standard 6: You will receive clear information about your appointments in good time
Published timing: Communications at least 21 days before your appointment.
This should say what the appointment is for, where it is and how to prepare. The 21-day notice does not apply to appointments arranged at short notice (for example urgent appointments or cancellation slots), but you should still get the same key information.
- It does not apply to short-notice or cancellation-slot appointments.
What you can ask: If key details about an appointment are missing, ask the provider what it is for, where it is and how to prepare.
Standard 7: If your appointment is cancelled, by either you or your provider, a new date will be arranged in good time
Published timing: A replacement appointment date will be given within 28 days, although the appointment itself may take place later.
If your appointment is cancelled or rescheduled, you should get clear information on how to rearrange it, and be given a replacement date within 28 days.
- It does not mean the new appointment will happen within 28 days — only that the date should be given.
- It does not create a guaranteed treatment deadline, including after more than one cancellation.
What you can ask: Ask the provider to confirm when you will be given a replacement date, and how to rearrange if needed.
Standard 8: You will be told when your care is complete and what happens next
When you and your clinician agree you no longer need planned care, this should be clearly communicated, including any follow-up — either a booked appointment or patient initiated follow-up (PIFU), with an explanation of how PIFU works.
What you can ask: If you are unsure whether your care has finished or how follow-up works, ask the service to confirm.
What the standards do not mean
- They are not statutory rights or automatic individual entitlements.
- They do not give an appointment date, treatment date or queue position.
- They do not set a deadline for test or scan results.
- More than one cancellation does not create a guaranteed treatment deadline.
- They do not replace clinical advice. If your health changes, use NHS 111, call 999 in an emergency, or contact your GP practice.
How this differs from the 18-week wait
The 18-week referral-to-treatment (RTT) maximum is a separate waiting-time standard in the NHS Constitution, with published exceptions. The 2026 minimum standards are about communication and experience while you wait. Our 18-week calculator covers RTT only.
The standards also sit alongside your existing right, in many cases, to choose your provider for your first planned appointment.
What you can do
- Contact the provider you were referred to first, using the details given at referral.
- Ask politely for confirmation: whether you are on the list, what happens next, and who to contact.
- If you cannot get an answer, your GP practice can advise; if a standard has not been met, contact PALS.
Checked against NHS England's published text on 2026-09-30. Source version mspc-2026-07.1.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers first. Tap a question to read more.
Are these minimum standards a legal right?
No. NHS England describes them as minimum standards that all providers of planned care are expected to meet. They sit alongside your existing patient rights, such as those in the NHS Constitution, but are not themselves statutory rights.
Does the 28-day referral standard mean I will be seen within 28 days?
No. It means you should receive confirmation of next steps within 28 days of your referral being made. Your appointment or treatment may be much later.
How is this different from the 18-week wait?
The 18-week referral-to-treatment maximum is a separate NHS Constitution waiting-time standard, with published exceptions. The 2026 minimum standards are about communication and your experience while you wait.
What if a standard is not met?
NHS England says you, your family or your carer can raise it with the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) at your hospital or healthcare setting.
See where you stand in 60 seconds
Use our free 18-week calculator to check whether your wait may have passed the NHS Referral to Treatment standard.
Sources & references4
Reviewed against publicly available NHS England RTT guidance and the NHS Constitution.
Editorial transparency
How this guide was put together
- Reviewed against the latest publicly available NHS England RTT statistics and guidance.
- Written and edited by the NHSWaitHelper editorial team.
- Cross-checked against the NHS Constitution and operational guidance.
- Independent — no paid hospital rankings, no hidden sponsorship.
NHSWaitHelper is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with the NHS. We do not provide medical or legal advice. Always speak to your GP, clinician, or a regulated adviser about your individual circumstances.