01246 277 271
Publish date: 14 May 2026
NHS staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital are being praised for their continued hard work and commitment, as new national figures (published on Thursday, 14 May) show strong progress in reducing elective waiting times over the past year.
Latest data shows that by the end of March, more than 61% of patients at Chesterfield Royal Hospital were waiting less than 18 weeks from being referred to treatment, reflecting the dedication of clinical and support teams working under sustained pressure to deliver great care for local people. This is an improvement of 7.9% since January and the second biggest improvement across the Midlands region.
The progress on the waiting list comes at the end of an exceptionally challenging year for the NHS. Over the past 12 months, Chesterfield Royal Hospital delivered 9,245 surgeries (elective and emergency), over ten million tests, and provided 341,607 new and follow-up appointments – the highest number ever recorded in a single financial year.
This achievement has been delivered despite significant disruption, including the need to postpone a small number of elective appointments, tests and operations due to industrial action over the past year. Teams at Chesterfield Royal Hospital have worked hard to minimise the impact on patients, prioritising safety and ensuring those with the greatest clinical need were seen first.
Health leaders at the Trust have praised colleagues for their resilience and professionalism.
“This progress is down to the incredible commitment of our staff,” said Dr Hal Spencer, Chief Executive. "Our teams have gone above and beyond to make sure patients continue to receive high‑quality care, even in the face of service disruption and unprecedented demand.”
Throughout the year, the hospital has introduced measures to improve access to care and reduce waits, including extended operating lists, redesigned pathways, and closer working across teams to make best use of available capacity.
While acknowledging the progress made, leaders have been clear that further work is needed.
“We know that waiting for treatment can be stressful for patients and their families,” Michelle Veitch, Chief Operating Officer, added. “Our colleagues remain absolutely focused on reducing waits further and continuing to improve the experience and outcomes for people who rely on our services.”
Elective recovery remains a key priority for Chesterfield Royal Hospital, alongside improving urgent and emergency care, supporting staff wellbeing and working with partners across the NHS to meet the needs of local communities.