Figures released by the NHS have shown that the number of people awaiting hospital treatment in England is now in excess of five million (5.12 million at the end of April) – the highest the list has been since records began in August 2007.
However, the data has shown that the number of people who have been waiting for over a year has dropped which is the first time this has happened since the start of the pandemic. The latest figures show that over 385,000 people have been waiting this long, which is 50,000 less than for the previous month. Although, before the pandemic, this figure was only 1,600.
The Medical Director for NHS England, Prof Stephen Powis, commented that despite the “extensive disruption” caused by Covid-19 there were still “encouraging” signs in the latest data. Adding that the number of people being seen by cancer services and mental health has now returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Areas with the worst waiting times for hospital treatment
In addition to the data published by NHS England, an analysis carried out by consultancy, Lane, Clark and Peacock, has reported significant discrepancies in the numbers waiting for medical treatment for over a year across different geographical areas.
Those with the longest waits (per 100,000 waiting over for over a year) are:
- Castle Point and Rochford – 573
- Southend – 461
- Blackpool – 450
- Waltham Forest – 422
- Norfolk and Waveney – 419
When considering the above data, it is worth noting the age of the local populations – with the regions having the longest waits tending to have the oldest population. In comparison, those with the lowest waiting rates had the youngest, who are less likely to require hospital treatment.
Despite Prof Stephen Powis claiming that the NHS data was “encouraging”, Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, who led the Lane, Clark and Peacock research, said that their finding were still “extremely worrying“. Adding:
“We know that for many of these conditions longer waiting times are associated with poorer long-term outcomes,”
“Without urgent action targeting areas with the highest unmet need, we risk a generation of patients living in poorer health.”
Comment
The latest data and research further highlights the significant concerns that patients are being left in pain and unable to continue with day-to-day life, and the long waits is a crisis that could take up to two to three years to get under control. Of course, the increase in long waits for something that should be routine could also result in additional problems arising due to delayed medical treatment.
The figures make for a concerning read, but as a result of Covid-19, perhaps doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The impact of the pandemic across the NHS services has been devastating. Clearly, there is a long road ahead for the NHS to get back on track whilst dealing with the ongoing battle against Covid-19, and most likely its aftermath too.
It is key that patients continue to seek treatment when they need it, and absolutely vital that the waiting lists are tackled as soon as practicable to avoid further unnecessary and avoidable injury or harm.
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Carolle White is a Senior Associate and Legal Executive in our specialist Medical Negligence team, which has been ranked in tier one by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500.
If you have any questions in relation to the subjects discussed in this article, please get in touch with Carolle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.