MPs have said that despite billions of pounds spent to tackle NHS
waiting lists service recovery targets have been missed. NHS
Providers submitted evidence to the Public
Accounts committee earlier this year.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:
“NHS trusts are doing everything they can to meet the
government's ambitious target but need national support.
They are doing great work to bring the government's 10-year
health plan to life.
“While bringing down waiting lists, a lot of hospitals would like
to do more planned treatment but haven't the money to pay for it
as they battle to balance the books amid record-high required
savings.
“Trusts have upped action on planned care, above pre-pandemic
levels, cutting the waiting list by about 230,000 since July last
year. More community diagnostic centres, surgical hubs and more
joined-up, strategic working with partners are paying off for
patients. We need to build on the success of trailblazing trusts.
“The NHS-wide transformation we need requires significant
government investment in community services and the primary care
‘gateway' to keep people well and out of hospital to ease
pressure on services and to support people at home while they're
waiting for their planned treatment.
“It's a big task in the face of soaring demand but trust leaders
and staff right across the NHS are working flat out to see
patients as quickly as they can and to cut waiting lists.”
