NHS waiting times - diagnostics
Waits for key diagnostic tests

About this release

Following the transition from quarterly publications, this is the first monthly release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) showing waiting times statistics for eight key diagnostic tests at 30 September 2026.

Eight key diagnostic tests comprise four endoscopy tests (upper endoscopy, lower endoscopy (excluding colonoscopy), colonoscopy, and cystoscopy) and four radiology tests (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), barium studies, and non-obstetric ultrasound). The publication presents accredited official statistics on waiting times and length of wait for these tests, as well as monthly activity and associated length of wait. Please note, the activity related statistics are now badged as 'official statistics' rather than 'official statistics in development' following a 12-month period of development and implementation of appropriate quality assurance processes.

Main points

• At 30 September 2026, the total waiting list size (number of ongoing waits) for the eight key diagnostic tests combined was 111,561; 86,216 waits for a radiology test and 25,345 waits for an endoscopy test. This is a 2.9% increase (+3,178) from 31 August 2026 when there were 108,383 ongoing waits and a 23.6% decrease (-34,444) since 30 September 2025.
• The total volume of activity for the eight key diagnostic tests combined was 78,421; 11,731 endoscopy tests and 66,690 radiology tests. This is a 0.2% increase (+167) when compared to last month and a similar percentage (<0.1%) when compared to the same month last year (-14). The volume of activity increased for endoscopy tests (+4.2%, +477) when compared to the previous month and decreased for radiology tests (-0.5%, -310).
• In comparison to the previous month, there was a decrease in the waiting list size for endoscopy tests (-0.2%, -57). The decrease for endoscopy was driven by lower endoscopy (excl. colonoscopy) (-3.2%, -79) and colonoscopy (-0.7%, -54) while upper endoscopy increased by 0.4% (+54) and cystoscopy by 0.6% (+25). The volume of activity increased in all four endoscopy tests; upper endoscopy by 1.4% (+60), lower endoscopy (excl. colonoscopy) by 13.6% (+104), colonoscopy by 5.1% (+213) and cystoscopy by 5.3% (+100).
• For radiology, there was an increase in the waiting list size (+3.9%, +3,235). All four tests increased compared to month ending 31 August 2026; MRI (+3.8%, +895), CT (+0.1%, +20), barium studies (+9.4%, +37), and non-obstetric ultrasound (+5.6%, 2,283). For activity, three of the four tests showed a decrease; MRI (-3.9%, -666), CT (-3.2%, -688), and barium studies (-11.1%, -30), while non-obstetric ultrasound completed tests increased by 3.9% (+1,074).
• Of the 111,561 ongoing waits at month-end, 72.5% (80,868) had not yet exceeded the six-week standard, 2 percentage points higher than last month (70.5%, 76,413) and an 18.1 percentage point increase compared to end of September 2025 (54.4%, 79,429). 53.4% (13,544) of endoscopy waits and 78.1% (67,324) of radiology waits had not yet exceeded the six-week standard.
• Of the 78,421 completed tests across the month, 75.4% (59,108) were completed within six weeks. For endoscopy tests, 68.9% (8,081) of tests were completed within 6 weeks and for radiology, the figure was 76.5% (51,027).
• There were 687 waits that had been ongoing for longer than a year at the latest month-end (0.6% of all waits), 683 for an endoscopy test and 4 for a radiology test. This is a 12.8% decrease (-101) compared to month ending August 2026 (788) and an 81.2% decrease (-2,975) compared to September 2025.
• The number of key tests delivered after a wait of over 52 weeks, when compared to the previous month, increased by 77.9% (+134), from 172 to 306 (213 endoscopy tests and 93 radiology tests).

An infographic overview of the latest diagnostic statistics for waiting list size (ongoing waits) and activity up to 30 September 2026 for all 8 key tests combined. It contains four graphs, two on the top row and two on the bottom row. The first chart on the first row is a stacked columns chart broken down by length of wait categories, differentiated by colour. It also shows the total figures for ongoing waits by length of wait categories above the graph; under 6 weeks, 6-52 weeks and over 52 week waits for the month of 30 September 2026. The second graph on the top row is a line graph showing the percentage of the waiting list size that have been waiting under six weeks and over 52 weeks, it also shows the total figures. The bottom row shows the same two types of charts but displays the 8 key test activity up to 30 September 2026. Showcasing the number of tests administered, split by length of wait and differentiated by colour.

Close

Overview of latest diagnostic statistics on waiting list and activity, NHS Scotland, to 30 September 2026

Background

The waiting times section of the PHS website provides further information relating to the supply, quality assurance and reporting of waits, as well as links to the latest national guidance set by the Scottish Government.

Updated Waiting Times Guidance

To enable health boards to apply 2023 Waiting Times Guidance calculations to aggregate data submissions, updates to health board IT systems and changes to local processes are required. Boards will implement these changes at different time points locally. At 30 September 2026, 5 boards had upgraded their systems to incorporate these changes so far, affecting 46,926 of diagnostic test waits across Scotland. Statistics up to 30 September 2026 comprise some waits calculated under 2012 and some under 2023 rules. Some waits for endoscopy and radiology are shorter under the new guidance, but this does not substantially affect trends over time. For further information on the impact this has had on figures for NHS Scotland and NHS boards which have implemented the guidance, please refer to the Data Quality document.

Further information

The next release of this publication will be 8 December 2026.

PHS is currently undertaking a review of the statistical publications we produce; all planned care waiting times outputs are being reviewed and this may lead to a change in the content, layout and frequency of future publications. Any substantial changes will be announced ahead of implementation. For more information, please contact us at phs.waitingtimes@phs.scot.​