Record poor performance ‘dashes hopes of near normal’

Unprecedentedly poor waiting time data for electives, diagnostics and cancer suggests the chances of NHS England’s ambitions for ‘near normal’ service levels this autumn being met are very unlikely, experts have warned.

The statistics prompted one health think tank to urge NHS leaders to be “honest that with vital infection control measures affecting productivity, and a huge backlog, there are no shortcuts back to the way things were”.

NHS England data published today revealed there were 50,536 patients who had been waiting over a year for elective treatment as of June – up from 1,613 in February before the covid outbreak, a number already viewed as very concerning. The number represents the highest level since 2009 and 16 times higher than they were in March.

Nuffield Trust deputy director of research Sarah Scobie said: “These figures are a serious warning against any hope that the English NHS can get planned care back to normal before winter hits. The number of patients starting outpatient treatment is still a third lower than usual and getting back to 100 per cent by September will be a tall order.”

“The increase in patients waiting more than a year has continued to accelerate at a shocking pace, with numbers now at their highest since 2009 and 16 times higher than they were in March. 

“Unfortunately, despite the real determination of staff to get back on track, some of these problems are set to grow… We need to be honest that with vital infection control measures affecting productivity, and a huge backlog, there are no shortcuts back to the way things were.”

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Source: HSJ, 13 August 2020