According to new data, NHS waiting lists have risen to yet another high in England, with approximately one in seven people (7.98 million patients) waiting for procedures such as hip and knee replacements in July. Of this, 389,952 patients have waited a minimum of one year to receive their treatment. Meanwhile, 28,859 people were left waiting in A&E for more than 12 hours in August.
According to NHS bosses, the staff strikes that have taken place since December 2022, led by consultants and junior doctors, have heaped extra pressure onto already struggling hospitals. Emergency departments faced their busiest summer yet with more than 6.5 million attendances in A&E across June, July and August.
It is predicted that the upcoming winter will see the levels of backlog increase even further, with health leaders warning that the service is ‘heading for even more extremely troubled times’.
The NHS has struggled to cope with demand due to the backlog caused by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020; however, 4.4 million people were waiting for treatment just before March 2020, meaning the waiting list has risen by almost 3.6 million in the three years since. Although there was a sign of the rising numbers slowing down in the most recent winter, the numbers began to rise again in March 2023.
More recently, the number of those on the waiting list has risen by 100,000 in one month. In addition, walkouts within the industry have caused almost a million appointments and procedures to be rescheduled, with the true impact of this immeasurable because many hospitals avoid scheduling procedures and appointments on these days.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has shared that he was “confident” that the target to reduce the waiting list by next March would have been met without the strikes. However, there are deliberations surrounding the causes of the overwhelming waiting lists, with a shortage of staff, the pandemic and a lack of funding also being blamed for the ongoing strain.
Read more in this BBC article.
In recent articles, Bridge McFarland has highlighted other ongoing issues within the NHS. Click each link below to read more:
- Lowest Ever Level of Public Satisfaction With The NHS
- NHS Cancer Waiting Times Targets Missed
- A&E Waiting Times in the UK – Do you have a claim?
Medical Negligence Claims
The stark reality of these figures highlights that, unfortunately, it is common to experience a delay when being treated under the NHS or indeed the private healthcare sector. When a delay has an adverse impact on your health you may be entitled to compensation.
At Bridge McFarland our experienced medical negligence solicitors assist people with claims when they have been affected by a delay in diagnosis or receiving treatment.
With offices across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire including Hull, Market Rasen, Lincoln, Louth, Scarborough and Grimsby our lawyers have supported clients in these areas and across the UK for many years.
To speak to a member of our team today please call 0800 987 8800, email info@bmcf.co.uk or fill in this contact form.
