Commenting on the latest NHS England performance figures out
today, Nuffield Trust Senior Fellow, Dr Liz Fisher said:
"It's beginning to look a lot like
another bleak winter for the NHS. People across the country are
already facing very long delays in ambulances outside hospitals
while they wait for space to become available – so far this
winter, 36% of patients on average were delayed for over 30
minutes. With rates of norovirus and flu already rising and
vaccination rates lower this year, the familiar combination of
winter illnesses and cold weather is likely to make things more
difficult for the health service in the coming
months.
"Last week the government
re-emphasised its promise to tackle waits for planned treatment.
The overall waiting list reduced again in the latest data, this
time by 32,000, and a record number of treatments were delivered,
which is testament to the hard work of staff at all levels across
the health service. It would be tempting to assume that sustained
good progress on waiting times is on the horizon, but, in winter,
NHS data often shows waiting lists decreasing because referrals
for planned treatment typically fall during this time. We'll need
to wait and see if this is more than just a seasonal trend as the
NHS adapts to the intense stress it comes under at this time of
year.
"While political focus is on the
long-term goal of people being treated within 18 weeks of
referral, the Health Secretary has also recently emphasised the
need to prioritise patient safety in A&E this winter. As it
works on major plans to reform how health care is delivered, the
government needs to show it understands competing priorities in
the here-and-now. Meanwhile, all areas of the NHS remain under
strain and patients continue to suffer the consequences."
Ends.
Notes to editors
The latest monthly performance figures from NHS England can be
found at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/
