The National Health Service (NHS) in England is grappling with a significant backlog of non-urgent hospital cases, worsened by the pandemic.
Surge in Waiting List Cases
Analysis from the Universities of Edinburgh and Strathclyde reveals a 2.6 million case surge in the waiting list for non-urgent care from February 2020 to October 2022.
Current Waiting List Status
The waiting list has reached 7.6 million, raising concerns about the NHS’s capacity to manage the growing backlog.
NHS England’s Recovery Plan
Despite aiming for a 30% increase in capacity by 2025, the NHS has seen only a marginal reduction in the waiting list, indicating the need for more action and funding.
Researchers’ Recommendations
A minimum monthly increase of 10% in non-emergency hospital cases is deemed essential to address the backlog effectively.
Challenges in Meeting Targets
The NHS faces difficulties in reducing waiting lists and meeting key treatment targets, with over 6 million patients awaiting treatment.
Stagnant Waiting List Figures
Recent data shows the waiting list standing at 7.6 million, with a slight reduction from the previous month.
Increase in Long Waits
The number of patients waiting over 18 months for treatment has risen, exacerbating the backlog issue.
A&E Department Setbacks
A&E performance has declined, with departments struggling to meet the four-hour admission, transfer, or discharge target.
Falling Short of Bed Expansion
The promise of 5,000 additional beds before winter was not fully met, with only 4,203 beds added and occupancy rates surging.
NHS Leaders’ Aims
Despite setbacks, NHS leaders aim to meet recovery targets by the end of March, highlighting the importance of better funding and resolving industrial action.
Vital Actions for Improvement
Resolving industrial action and enhancing funding are crucial steps for the NHS to navigate through winter and beyond.
The King’s Fund’s Perspective
The King’s Fund emphasizes the need for long-term decisions to address the cycle of poor performance in the NHS.
Attracting Healthcare Professionals
Improving the attractiveness of health and care careers is essential for bolstering out-of-hospital care services.
Prolonged Waits for Diagnostic Tests
Patients face long waits for important diagnostic tests, with some delays lasting up to two-and-a-half years.
Strain on Healthcare Resources
Extended waiting times for diagnostic tests highlight the strain on healthcare resources and the impact on timely diagnosis and treatment.
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The post Stark Reality: Here’s What the NHS Needs to Do to Catch up With Backlog first appeared on Edge Media.
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