09
Jun 2017
NHS operation waiting times ‘tripled in four years’
According to a report by the Royal College of Surgeons, the number of patients waiting six months or more for surgery has tripled over the last four years. In March of this year, nearly 130,000 patients were waiting for surgery following a consultant referral. In March 2013 the operation waiting times figure was 45,000.
A Spokesperson from NHS England said “The NHS has cut the number of patients waiting more than a year for treatment by nearly 13,000 over the past five years, and spending on non-urgent surgery is continuing to rise.”
However, earlier this year, Simon Stevens of NHS England said that because of growing pressures within the health service, he could no longer guarantee treatment within the 18 week time target for routine operations such as hip and knee replacements.
President of the RCN, Clare Marx, said “We are now struggling to meet the standards and timeliness of care that the public rightly expect.
“It is unacceptable for such a large number of patients to be waiting this long in pain and discomfort for treatment. This is the grim reality of the financial pressures facing the NHS.”
She went on to say “When pressures in emergency departments rise, patients awaiting planned surgery can have their operations cancelled or delayed until more space becomes available.
“In this election, we urge all political parties to make timely access to surgery an urgent priority.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. 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 Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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