RCS England response - Nuffield Trust analysis reveals ‘hugely concerning’ disparities in waiting times between different patient groups in England

Mr Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England said:    

“This important analysis shows the stark disparity in access to healthcare. Consideration needs to be given to addressing these significant health inequalities, which are widening because of continued pressure on the NHS.

“The NHS desperately needs targeted capital investment, to tackle the maintenance backlog and increase surgical capacity - this includes more surgical hubs in every region.  We need this if we’re to avoid hundreds of thousands of patients continuing to live in pain on waiting lists.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the 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 RCS England press office: telephone: 020 7869 6054/6053; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk ; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.