Fewer operations being performed as NHS waiting list in England reaches seven million

Latest figures have shown that the waiting list for hospital treatment in England has hit a record high of seven million, and analysis has shown that the risk is being driven by the inability of hospitals to get back to full strength rather than an increase in demand.

 

Hospitals are undertaking 12 per cent fewer treatments and operations than they were before the pandemic.

 

Surgeons have said operating theatres are not being used due to a lack of staff and beds, adding that it is not unusual to find surgery cancelled at the last minute as staff are unavailable or intensive care and ward beds are full with other patients.

 

Tim Mitchell, vice-president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said “It’s tough on patients and tough on staff that want to get on and treat patients.  Without treatment, the health of patients can deteriorate.

 

“Not only do we need to get back to where we were before the pandemic, we need to do more if we are going to tackle the backlog.”

 

Data from NHS England shows that in the last 12 months, an average of nearly 257,500 inpatient treatments, including knee and hip replacements, have been carried out each month, 12 per cent lower than the year before the pandemic.

 

The struggle to return services to full strength is the reason the backlog is growing, because the number of new referrals for treatment has not increased above its average prior to the start of the pandemic.

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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