Health will be top of the government’s agenda this week with a
number of announcements expected that will provide an update on
how the government is delivering on its promise to tackle the
Covid backlogs.
The pandemic placed considerable strain on the NHS, meaning that
many patients are now waiting longer for treatment than they were
before the pandemic began. The government is investing £39
billion via the health and social care levy over the next three
years so the NHS has the funding it needs to clear the backlogs.
Diagnostic tests are a key part of tackling the waiting lists,
and our ambition is that 95% of patients needing a diagnostic
test will receive it within 6 weeks by March 2025.
Launched in July 2021, community diagnostic centres (CDCs) enable
people to access vital checks closer to home, helping to speed up
diagnoses. With around 90 now open, NHS England is expected to
provide an update on the number of scans, tests and checks that
CDCs have carried out so far, helping to treat patients faster.
According to latest figures from NHS England, the number of
people waiting two years for treatment has more than halved since
February – from 23,778 to 9,146 as of May 2022.
There are also record numbers of doctors and nurses working in
the NHS – with almost 4,300 more doctors than last year, and over
11,800 more nurses than this time last year.
Understanding the enormous pressure that health and care staff
have faced during the pandemic, it is vital that the best
possible leadership is in place to support them in tackling the
Covid backlog and addressing disparities across the country.
This week will see the publication of the anticipated review of
leadership in health and care, conducted by General Sir Gordon
Messenger with the support of Dame Linda Pollard. His team has
spoken to over 1,000 front-line staff to inform his review and
will provide recommendations to ensure the right leadership
is in place at all levels.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“The pandemic has seen us face unprecedented health challenges,
but I am determined to do everything I can to ensure patients get
the treatment they need when they need it.
“We are putting more money into health and social care than any
government has done before, and we are making sure every penny of
this funding is spent in the right way for patients.
“There is no quick fix, but between community diagnostic centres,
new cancer screening, and expanding mental health provision, we
are supporting the NHS to tackle the Covid backlog and ensure
everyone rightly receives this world class care.”
Prime Minister, said:
“The pandemic put unparalleled pressure on our NHS, but we are
making excellent progress towards our goal of tackling the Covid
backlogs. With record numbers of doctors and nurses, and a system
backed by unprecedented government funding, we will continue to
make sure patients receive world-class care whenever they need
it.
“This week we will update on how we are driving down waiting
lists and delivering more scans, checks and tests than ever
before as we support the NHS in its biggest ever catch-up
programme.”
Also, this week, the Department of Health and Social Care will
provide an update on the Innovative Medicines Fund. Announced in
July 2021, the Innovative Medicines Fund builds on the success of
the Cancer Drugs Fund and will support patients with any
condition, including those with rare and genetic diseases, to get
early access to the most clinically promising treatments. By
fast-tracking promising medicines to NHS patients, they will have
access to potentially lifesaving or life-prolonging medicines
more quickly.
The government has tackled the greatest public health
emergency in a generation, delivering the fastest vaccine
roll-out in Europe to ensure the public live safely with Covid.
This week provides further update on the work underway to clear
the backlog caused by this pandemic.
