Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust awarded £2 million for cutting waiting times for planned care
7 Jan 2026
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) has been awarded £2 million in capital funding from NHS England in recognition of the significant
progress it has made in reducing waiting times for elective care and treatment.
HDFT is one of eight trusts to receive funding through the first round of NHS England’s new Elective Capital Incentive Scheme. Launched this year, the
scheme rewards providers that have delivered the largest improvements in referral‑to‑treatment (RTT) performance over a sustained period, including
reducing the size of their overall waiting list. It supports the national ambition to return to the RTT Constitutional Standard, which requires 92% of
patients to begin treatment within 18 weeks of referral.
How They Did It...
To qualify for the funding, HDFT had to meet scheme targets between April and September 2025, including improvements in 18-week RTT performance, reductions in overall waiting lists, and fewer patients waiting more than 52 weeks.
Over this period HDFT achieved a 5.47% improvement in 18-week RTT performance and reduced its overall waiting list by over 1,000 patients (4.7%). No patients were waiting over 52 weeks for treatment.
HDFT made the improvements through a targeted programme to increase capacity, streamline pathways and improve patient flow across elective services. Key actions included in-depth service reviews using data-driven evidence to support change. Services ran additional clinics, maximised the use of operating theatres, and outpatient and inpatient activity was aligned to meet demand. Specialties and areas with the longest waiting lists were focussed on to deliver improvements in waiting times.
The £2 million capital investment will support elective improvements across the Trust, including enhancements to facilities and equipment purchases to
support patient care and reduce waiting times.
