These graphs show how hospital activity has changed in recent years. The statistics are presented for all years that have readily available data.

GP referrals

Total number of GP referrals made (all specialities) - 2008/09 - 2013/14

Year	Number
2008/09	10,640,727
2009/10	11,209,590
2010/11	11,583,243
2011/12	11,453,226
2012/13	11,671,176
2013/14	12,461,470

Source: NHS England Monthly Activity Report (MAR)

In 2013/14, GPs made nearly 12.5 million referrals. This was an increase of 17.6% from 2008/09.

Diagnostic test activity

Diagnostic test activity for 15 tests in diagnostic waiting times measure - 2007/08 - 2013/14

Year	Number
2007/08	11,797,469
2008/09	13,158,340
2009/10	14,354,214
2010/11	15,052,374
2011/12	15,874,352
2012/13	16,846,757
2013/14	17,980,046

Source: Monthly Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity (DM01)

The number of diagnostic tests carried out by the NHS, as measured in the diagnostic tests waiting times statistics, increased by 50.6% between 2007/08 and 2013/14 from 11.8 million to 18.0 million.

Patients seen by a specialist after an urgent referral

Number of patients seen by a specialist after an urgent referral from a GP for suspected cancer (all cancers) - 2009/10 - 2013/14

Year	Number
2009/10	904,209
2010/11	1,005,046
2011/12	1,108,516
2012/13	1,220,177
2013/14	1,361,345

Source: NHS England quarterly cancer waiting times

In 2013/14, NHS specialists saw 1.4 million patients referred from their GP because of a suspected cancer diagnosis. This was an increase of 50% from 2009/10.

Cataract operations

Cataract operations (FCEs and outpatient attendances) - 1999/00 - 2012/13

Year	Number - Inpatients	Number - Outpatients	Number - Total
1999/00	227,754		227,754
2000/01	253,833		253,833
2001/02	261,488		261,488
2002/03	282,786		282,786
2003/04	308,906	11,302	320,208
2004/05	316,205	10,245	326,450
2005/06	298,437	11,350	309,787
2006/07	301,607	11,382	312,989
2007/08	325,471	11,363	336,834
2008/09	344,591	14,907	359,498
2009/10	348,660	17,067	365,727
2010/11	343,782	24,108	367,890
2011/12	336,967	35,522	372,489
2012/13	336,638	39,867	376,505

Source: HSCIC annual hospital episode statistics - admitted patient care (HES APC) and outpatients (HES OP)

Between 1999/00 and 2012/13, the number of inpatient cataract procedures increased by 50.2%. Between 2003/04 and 2012/13, the number of outpatient cataract procedures carried out has more than tripled.

Knee replacements

Knee replacements (FCEs) - 1999/00 - 2012/13

Year	Number
1999/00	33,397
2000/01	35,827
2001/02	38,991
2002/03	45,741
2003/04	52,535
2004/05	56,652
2005/06	59,755
2006/07	63,196
2007/08	72,628
2008/09	75,306
2009/10	73,378
2010/11	76,526
2011/12	79,334
2012/13	78,841

Source: HSCIC annual hospital episode statistics - admitted patient care (HES APC)

In 2012/13, the NHS carried out 79,000 knee replacement operations. This was an increase of 139.8% from 1999/00.

Hip replacements

Hip replacements (FCEs) - 1999/00 - 2012/13

Year	Number
1999/00	69,661
2000/01	70,258
2001/02	72,271
2002/03	77,195
2003/04	81,437
2004/05	82,919
2005/06	84,914
2006/07	89,254
2007/08	97,026
2008/09	100,581
2009/10	101,020
2010/11	105,979
2011/12	109,598
2012/13	110,528