Frequently asked questions

PlainNHS uses publicly published NHS data from three upstream sources: NHS Digital (statistical publications, GP practice data), NHS England (RTT 18-week, A&E 4-hour, cancer 62-day waiting times), and the Care Quality Commission (inspection ratings). The reporting period on file for each metric is shown next to its value, so you can check how current it is.

NHS performance data is published monthly with a one-to-two-month lag (e.g. March figures release in May). PlainNHS aims to refresh within a week of each upstream release, though the data on file may lag behind at any given time. Every entity page shows the data vintage next to the value.

Yes, PlainNHS is completely free. All data comes from publicly available NHS sources released under the UK Open Government Licence v3.0. We don't require registration, subscriptions, or payment.

Numeric values come directly from NHS Digital, NHS England, or the CQC with no modifications. Operational metrics (RTT, A&E, cancer) are statistical aggregates published monthly; the reporting month on file is shown next to each value. CQC inspection ratings reflect the most recent inspection date (shown next to the rating). Always click through to the source link on the page for the authoritative reference.

Yes. The NHS Choose & Book entitlement gives you a statutory right at the point of GP referral to choose any clinically appropriate NHS Trust (and many private providers holding an NHS contract). See our guide on Choose & Book at /guides/choose-and-book for the full process.

CQC uses four bands: Outstanding (top), Good, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate. Each overall rating also breaks down into five domains (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led). A Trust rated Good overall may still be rated Requires Improvement on Safe or Effective, the five-domain breakdown is the most useful detail. Full guide at /guides/interpreting-cqc-ratings.

Trust-level median wait reflects local case-mix, bed availability, staffing, and elective recovery investment. National medians average across all Trusts and hide the wide variation that exists at Trust level. The PlainNHS procedure pages show both the national median and the per-Trust spread so you can see how individual Trusts compare.

No. PlainNHS presents publicly available NHS performance data for context and comparison only. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for clinical decisions made by your GP, NHS 111, or the treating NHS Trust. Statistical waiting-time figures do not predict the timing of any individual case.