Surgeons see ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for patients, as two-year waits almost halved in three months

The Royal College of Surgeons of England has welcomed the progress made to slash long waits for NHS patients, as new data show two-year waits for treatment almost halved in three months.

Data published today by NHS England show 12,735 people were waiting more than two years for hospital treatment in April 2022, down from 23,778 in January 2022 (the all-time high). The government’s target is to have no one waiting over two years by the end of June.

However, NHS England’s monthly Referral to Treatment (RTT) statistics also reveal that the waiting list has risen overall, to a record high of 6.48 million.

The longest remaining two-year waits were most commonly for Trauma and Orthopaedic treatment – such as hip and knee replacements (3,145), General Surgery – such as gallbladder removals and hernia operations (1,746), or Ear Nose and Throat treatment (1,730).

Mr Tim Mitchell, a consultant, ear, nose and throat surgeon and Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said:

“Today’s figures show light at the end of the tunnel for people who have been waiting excessively long for a planned hospital treatment. Surgical teams have been working around the clock to reduce the enormous waiting list which built up during the pandemic.

“However, there are still big challenges ahead. As people return to the NHS, demand is only getting stronger. The total waiting list increased again in April to a record 6.48 million. 

“The NHS is creating surgical hubs where planned surgery can happen, but it also needs more staff.  Surgical trainees are a key part of the solution, and should be involved in every operation. If we don’t support trainees to progress, they may abandon their training or decide to pursue their careers abroad.  That would be a tragedy, and we cannot allow it to happen.” 

Notes to editors

1. NHS performance statistics published today are available here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/

2. 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.

3. For more information, please contact the Press Office: Telephone: 020 7869 6052/6055 Email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk Out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.

4. The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) is a professional membership organisation and registered charity. The College provides world-class education, assessment and development to more than 28,000 surgeons, dental professionals and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams, at all stages of their career. The College sets professional standards, facilitates research and champions the best outcomes for patients – with a vision to see excellent surgical care for everyone.

For more information, please contact the Press Office:

• Telephone: 020 7869 6052/6054/ 6055
• Email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk
• Out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056