the health strategist
institute for strategic health transformation
& digital technology
Joaquim Cardoso MSc.
Chief Research and Strategy Officer (CRSO),
Chief Editor and Senior Advisor
October 12, 2023
One page summary
What is the message?
The NHS in England is facing a critical challenge with its waiting list reaching an all-time high of almost 7.8 million patients.
The number of people waiting for more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England rose to 123,870 in September, up from 114,640 in August.
This surge in waiting times for treatments has raised significant concerns and poses a growing threat to emergency services as well.
Ambulances in England took an average of 37 minutes and 38 seconds to respond to emergency calls in September, well above the target of 18 minutes.
Healthwatch England has emphasized the need for more patient support during this difficult period.
Both political leaders and healthcare professionals have recognized the urgency of addressing this issue, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer making pledges to tackle the waiting list crisis.
(PA Wire)
Key Takeaways
Record-Breaking Waiting List:
The NHS waiting list in England has hit a record high of approximately 7.8 million patients. This number has steadily increased over the last decade, from 3 million in 2014 to 7 million in 2022, indicating a growing problem in the healthcare system.
A&E Pressures:
The rising waiting list has put additional pressure on NHS emergency services. Recent figures show that 123,000 patients waited for more than 12 hours in A&E departments, signifying the increasing strain on these vital services.
Government Priorities:
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made it a priority for 2023 to reduce waiting lists and ensure patients receive care more promptly. The government’s ambition is to eliminate waits of more than a year by March 2025.
Response Time Challenges:
The NHS is grappling with response time challenges, as the average time for ambulances to reach the most critical incidents is now exceeding the target standard of seven minutes. This slower response time could have severe implications for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
Concerns About Strikes:
Official figures have shown that 1 million appointments were canceled due to doctor strikes, and these figures do not cover the recent period of strike action. Industrial action continues to add pressure to healthcare services.
Statistics
- At the end of August, almost 8,998 people in England were estimated to have been waiting for over 18 months to start routine hospital treatment, up from 7,289 at the end of July.
- A total of 396,643 people in England had been waiting for more than 52 weeks to start routine hospital treatment by the end of August, compared to 389,952 at the end of July.
- In September, there were 2,165,741 A&E attendances in England, an 8% increase from September 2022. Furthermore, there were 522,000 emergency admissions, marking a 7% rise.
- The number of people waiting for more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England rose to 123,870 in September, up from 114,640 in August.
- Ambulances in England took an average of 37 minutes and 38 seconds to respond to emergency calls in September, well above the target of 18 minutes.
Examples
- Labour leader Keir Starmer has pledged to eradicate the NHS waiting list in England within a single term, underlining the importance of addressing this issue.
- To combat the strain on healthcare services, NHS England pledged to open 10,000 “virtual ward beds” by September to facilitate early patient discharge. This target has been met.
In summary
The article outlines the critical situation of the NHS waiting list in England, the impact on emergency services, government initiatives to address the crisis, and the challenges associated with response times and industrial action.
The statistics and examples provided offer a comprehensive understanding of the current healthcare predicament.
DEEP DIVE
This summary was written based on the article “NHS waiting list hits record high of almost 7.8m”, published by The Independent and written by Rebecca Thomas, on October 12, 2023.
To read the full article, click here
