Longest elective waits reduced

NHS England has announced that the elective backlog has been reduced with the longest waits reduced by a quarter in a month.

The total number of patients waiting more than 18 months has reduced by 27 per cent between 15 January and 12 February from 54,382 to 39,903.

More than 70 trusts now have fewer than 100 patients waiting more than a year and a half and more than 25 trusts have fewer than 10. 10 trusts have already eliminated 18-month waits.

The goal is to virtually eliminate 18-month waits by April.

The number of patients waiting more than 18 months has reduced more than two-thirds from it 123,969 peak in September 2021.

NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, said: “Thanks to the incredible efforts and dedication of our staff, we are continuing to make significant inroads in bringing down the covid backlog – this reduction is a remarkable achievement given staff have experienced the worst winter on record with huge seasonal pressures with the fear of the twindemic of covid and flu becoming a reality.

“Whether it is the expansion of surgical hubs and the rollout of community diagnostic centres benefiting thousands more patients this year  or joined up working between trusts through mutual aid, the NHS will continue to innovate and adapt services so we can continue to make progress on the longest waits for patients.”

NHS national elective recovery director, Sir James Mackey, said: “Despite record pressure on hospital teams up and down the country this winter, including from the more than 110,000 appointments affected by industrial action, it is incredibly encouraging to see so many trusts making huge progress in bringing down the longest waits for patients.

“Whether it is the continued expansion of surgical hubs benefiting thousands more patients this year, or joined up working between trusts through mutual aid, the NHS elective recovery programme really does show the benefit of a single national health service with hardworking staff across the country coming together, sharing ideas and building on each other’s successes to bring down the Covid backlog.

“We know we have more to do ahead of our aim to virtually eliminate waits of more than 18 months by April, which is why we are working closely with the small number of trusts who have the biggest challenges, while innovating for the future with use of tools like artificial intelligence, surgical robots and online portals – making it easier for patients to manage appointments.”