NHS England said March was the busiest month ever for A&E attendances, even as waiting times fell to a five-year low and the service moved closer to its elective recovery target. The record demand was driven in part by a meningitis outbreak reported in mid-March, with total attendances reaching 2.43 million, according to NHS England figures published on 16 April 2026. ([england.nhs.uk](https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/04/march-was-busiest-month-ever-for-aes-amid-meningitis-outbreak/?utm_source=openai))
Record demand meets stronger emergency performance
Despite the surge in activity, almost four in five patients arriving at A&E were seen within four hours, with performance at 77.1%. NHS England said that was the best level since July 2021, underscoring how hospitals continued to cope under unusually heavy pressure during a prolonged winter period. ([england.nhs.uk](https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/04/march-was-busiest-month-ever-for-aes-amid-meningitis-outbreak/?utm_source=openai))
The organisation also said England is now “within touching distance” of its elective recovery target, with the health service moving towards its goal of treating 65% of patients within 18 weeks by the end of March. NHS Deputy CEO and Medical Director Professor Meghana Pandit said staff had made progress despite the busiest winter on record and disruption caused by industrial action. ([england.nhs.uk](https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/04/march-was-busiest-month-ever-for-aes-amid-meningitis-outbreak/?utm_source=openai))
Waiting lists fall as the system remains under strain
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said waiting lists are down by over 400,000 and that the NHS is diagnosing or giving the all clear to a record number of cancer patients on time. He added that ambulance and A&E waits are both at their best for almost half a decade, while warning there is still more to do to reduce delays for patients. ([england.nhs.uk](https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/04/march-was-busiest-month-ever-for-aes-amid-meningitis-outbreak/?utm_source=openai))
The figures come against a backdrop of continuing industrial action and wider pressure on acute services. NHS England said the month reflected both exceptional demand and improvements in responsiveness, with staff maintaining performance while dealing with the fallout from the meningitis outbreak and the broader winter surge. ([england.nhs.uk](https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/04/march-was-busiest-month-ever-for-aes-amid-meningitis-outbreak/?utm_source=openai))
For the NHS, the latest data paints a mixed picture: emergency departments are handling unprecedented numbers, but system performance has improved enough to push key waiting-time indicators in the right direction. With elective recovery still under close watch, the challenge now is whether that momentum can be sustained beyond the winter peak. ([england.nhs.uk](https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/04/march-was-busiest-month-ever-for-aes-amid-meningitis-outbreak/?utm_source=openai))
Sursa foto: Imagine generată AI
