Wes Streeting responds to new data on NHS waiting lists

Wes Streeting MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, responding to new data from NHS England, revealing that 6 million people were on waiting lists for care in November, a record high, said:

“Our health service went into this wave of Covid infections with 6 million people on waiting lists for the first time ever. Thanks to a decade of Tory mismanagement, the NHS was unprepared for the pandemic and didn’t have any spare capacity when Omicron hit.

“It’s not just that the Conservatives didn’t fix the roof when the sun was shining, they dismantled the roof and removed the floorboards. Now patients are paying the price, waiting months and even years for treatment, often in pain, distress and discomfort.

“Labour will secure the future of the NHS, starting by building the workforce it needs to deliver better care and shorter waiting times, just as the last Labour government did.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• Source: Statistics » Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times Data 2021-22 (england.nhs.uk)