NHS Waiting List Hits High Record Of 7.3 Million People In England

The Independent has reported this week that figures show the waiting list for NHS hospital treatment rose to a new high in March with the backlog at a high record of 7.3 million people in England.

This figure has increased since February (7.2 million) and is the highest number since records began in August 2007.

Analysis carried out by the Independent seems to show that the rise is driven by two things, such as the inability of hospitals to get back to full strength and an increase in demand.

One of the Prime Minister’s priorities for 2023 is to cut waiting lists for patients, pledging in January that “lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly.”

Recent data shows the Government’s target to essentially eliminate the number of people waiting over 78 weeks by April was missed by 11,161 people in March. Although, at the end of February this was down from 29,778.

NHS England said 41% of those who were waiting a year and a half needed complex surgeries, such as spinal surgery and corneal transplants.

There are also internal warnings from the NHS regarding the increasing backlog in children’s services. The most recent NHS data shows 403,000 children are currently waiting for routine care, again another record high.

Chief executive of NHS Providers (which represents hospitals in England), Sir Julian Hartley, said:

He went on to say how the care backlog was already there prior to the pandemic and NHS strikes, which put added pressure on the services because of “years of under-investment right across the NHS” and how it was called for the Government to announce the anticipated long-term workforce plan.

Defending the NHS, Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said:

Comment

This news is very worrying from a patient safety perspective.

Patient safety is about maximising the things that go right and minimising the things that go wrong. The strategy is clear that patient safety is integral to the NHS’ definition of quality in healthcare, alongside effectiveness and patient experience.

The NHS has a Patient Safety Strategy. The Strategy describes how the NHS will continuously improve patient safety, building on the foundations of a safer culture and safer systems.

The news that waiting lists are continuing to grow despite best efforts to date clearly impacts patient safety massively. Those waiting for treatment face the risks of further deterioration or other issues developing. Something which could be avoided potentially with timely treatment.

However, it is obvious that the resolution is far from straightforward. There is only so much that can be done without the right number of staff. Without adequate staffing and beds, how can the backlog possibly be overcome and things brought back to an even keel?

Those who are still working in the NHS will be facing what must feel like a never-ending battle, wanting to provide the treatment, but not having the capacity to be able to do so.

The introduction of new hubs and diagnostic centres is a fantastic start, but the staffing issues remain and it continues to be vital that recruitment is given attention once again. Not only recruiting, but retaining staff who are working in incredibly difficult and pressured circumstances to help patients.