NHS waiting lists in England have continued to rise, marking the third consecutive month of increase, as new data reveals. Health Secretary Wes Streeting attributed this trend to “14 years of Conservative neglect,” which he believes has left the NHS in a weakened state. Despite the rising numbers, there has been a significant reduction in the longest waits for treatment.
By the end of June, approximately 7.62 million treatments were pending for 6.39 million patients, showing a slight increase from the figures in May. Notably, the number of patients waiting over 18 months for routine treatment dropped sharply from 4,597 in May to 2,621 in June. Conversely, those waiting more than 65 weeks rose marginally, and those waiting over a year saw a slight decrease.
Streeting has promised that the government will work tirelessly to restore the NHS, emphasising the importance of never again allowing the Conservatives to manage the health service. The government has also outlined ambitious targets to reduce waiting times, with the aim to eliminate waits of more than 65 weeks by September 2024 and those of over a year by March 2025.
Emergency department pressures remain high, though there have been slight improvements. The number of patients waiting over 12 hours for admission after a decision to admit dropped slightly in July, while the number of patients seen within four hours in A&E rose to 75.2%—the highest since September 2021. NHS National Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, acknowledged the improvements but stressed the need for further work to reduce waiting times across various services.
The NHS has also been struggling with increased demand, particularly in cancer care. Although 76.3% of patients urgently referred in June received a diagnosis or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, this is only a slight improvement above the 75% target. The proportion of patients starting cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral remains below the target, standing at 67.4% in June.
Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, expressed concern over the slowing progress in cancer treatment and diagnosis. She called for urgent measures to ensure that timely care becomes a standard for all patients.
Danielle Jefferies from The King’s Fund highlighted the ongoing pressures faced by the NHS, including industrial action, financial constraints, and a rise in Covid-19 hospitalisations. She warned that these challenges could impede the NHS’s ability to prepare for the upcoming winter, urging the government to provide clear support as the system navigates these difficulties.
While there are some signs of improvement in certain areas, the NHS continues to face significant challenges, requiring ongoing efforts and strategic planning to ensure that patients receive timely and effective care.
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