RCS England responds to government's elective recovery plan for the NHS

Mr Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England said:
 
“Too many patients are enduring months of pain and anxiety on waiting lists, so a new plan for reducing waiting times will be very welcome.
 
“The NHS can only work within its means, so while aiming to treat 65% of patients within 18 weeks by March 2026 might be a realistic ambition, the current pace of improvement means the government is likely to fall short of meeting its 92% target by the end of this Parliament without further reform and investment, including upgrading IT and crumbling NHS facilities, and expanding surgical hubs.
 
“To reduce waits for patients for the long-term, the NHS must also support training opportunities for the next generation of surgeons – particularly in private hospitals which are delivering more and more NHS care. Our surgical workforce census revealed significant challenges for trainees, with over half (52%) citing insufficient time for training. We look forward to working with the NHS to guarantee dedicated, contracted time for surgical training and trainers.”

Notes to editors

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a professional membership organisation and registered charity, which exists to advance surgical standards and improve patient care.

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