RCS England response to Health Foundation analysis of NHS waiting lists
27 Oct 2023
Responding to Health Foundation analysis which shows NHS waiting lists could rise to over 8 million by summer 2024, Mr Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said:
"The Health Foundation's sobering analysis highlights that the Prime Minister's pledge to cut NHS waiting lists is highly unlikely to be achieved. Waiting lists have ballooned over the past decade due to underinvestment and workforce shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these pressures. While industrial action has contributed to delays, the roots of this crisis precede the strikes.
“To tackle waiting lists in a meaningful and sustainable way, we need transformative solutions. Continuing to invest in surgical hubs across the country, focusing on the areas with the longest waits, would allow surgeons to operate more efficiently. Hubs protect planned surgery from stoppages during busy periods when resources are diverted to emergency pressures.
“Crucially, we must also improve staff morale and retention. The government's commitment to grow the healthcare workforce is welcome. However, recruiting new staff is only half of the solution. Providing a supportive, well-resourced working environment is vital to reducing burnout. Otherwise, the NHS risks being caught in a revolving door, as we continuously lose the very staff we are trying to hire. By supporting staff and providing the resources they need to do their jobs, we can begin to reduce waiting times.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and wider surgical and dental care teams at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research, and championing the best outcomes for patients.
2. For more information, please contact the Press Office: Telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6047; Email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; Out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.