We received written evidence that long waiting times can put patients at risk. Evidence from Dr Rob Findlay noted that if it is not known what is wrong with undiagnosed patients then some of them will unexpectedly turn out to have a clinically urgent condition such as cancer.17 The National Institute 12 C&AG’s Report, paras 1.2 and 1.7-1.8 13 NHS England, Consultant-led Referral to Waiting Times Data 2024–25: Monthly Referral to Treatment waiting times for incomplete pathways, March 2025. 14 C&AG’s Report, para 1.16 15 Qq 12-13 16 Qq 79-81 17 Rob Findlay (NWT0003) 8 for Health Research Policy Research Unit also told us that waiting longer for elective care can impact health because patients’ ability to benefit from care will reduce as their health deteriorates and ultimately there is a risk of mortality.18