NHS waiting list rises for third month in row
England’s hospital waiting list has grown for the third month in a row, with experts warning that the government’s key priority for the NHS – tackling the backlog – is under threat.
At the end of August, the waiting list for routine treatment reached 7.41 million, up from 7.36 million in May.
The proportion of waits longer than the target duration of 18 weeks has also increased.
Experts said the Government faced a significant challenge in reducing waiting times, but ministers said its investment in the NHS would pay off.
The government has promised that by the end of this Parliament it will hit the 18-week wait time target – something it hasn’t done in a decade.
This requires 92% of patients awaiting treatments such as knee and hip operations to be seen within 18 weeks. Currently, 61% are.
Over the summer, expectations grew after a period of sustained progress after Labor came to power.
Dr Francesca Cavallaro, of the Health Foundation think tank, said that given current trends the government would not deliver on its promises.
“The scale of the challenge remains significant.”
Professor Peter Friend, of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, predicted that the coming winter would be harsh.
“The government must face the facts: without urgent investment in NHS infrastructure and support for staff wellbeing, progress in reducing waiting times will remain slow.
“Surgeons are ready to do more but are held back by critical resource issues – a lack of operating time, vacancies and equipment. Patients deserve better.”
Rory Deighton, of the NHS Confederation, which represents health bosses, said: “NHS leaders and their teams are working incredibly hard to increase productivity. It is therefore deeply frustrating that waiting lists have increased for the third month in a row.
But Health Minister Stephen Kinnock defended the performance of the NHS.
He said it had been a “record-breaking” summer, with more tests and checks carried out than ever before.
“We know there is still much to do – that’s why we are moving forward with new surgical hubs, evening and weekend exams and cutting-edge technology to ensure millions more patients are treated on time,” he added.
