Waiting and Access in Therapy - Understanding Perspectives in SLT (#WaitUpSLT)

Introduction In March 2026, NHS England published new guidance on waiting times for community health services ( https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/community-health-services-waiting-times/ ). For those working in - or waiting for - speech and language therapy (SLT), these documents are important. They signal a shift in how community services are being viewed, measured, and prioritised nationally. In this post, I’ll explain what the guidance says, why it matters, and what it might mean in practice. A big shift: community services are finally in the spotlight One of the most significant aspects of this guidance is simple: Community health services now have a national waiting time ambition. Specifically: The NHS is aiming for 78% of waits to be under 18 weeks by the end of 2026/27 Increasing to 80% by 2028/29  If that sounds familiar, it’s because the 18-week standard has been used for a long time in hospital (elective) care. ...