The UK Government Health and Social Care Secretary has written to the devolved
administrations inviting them for talks about how all parts of
the UK can work together to tackle long-term waiting lists in all
parts of the UK.
NHS services across the UK are a devolved matter, but Prime
Minister has made cutting waiting lists
a priority across the UK. Although approaches taken across
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland share many common
features, significant variations in outcomes exist. In Wales,
more than 73,000 people are waiting over 77 weeks for treatment,
and at least 21,600 people are waiting over 78 weeks for an
outpatient, day case or inpatient appointment in Scotland. In
England, waiting times for patients over 78 weeks have been
virtually eliminated.
The Secretary of State is inviting health ministers from the
devolved administrations to discuss what lessons can be learnt
from the different approaches taken. In England for example,
NHS patients are offered a choice of provider at GP referral –
NHS or independent sector - provided that it meets NHS costs
and standards. And from October we will proactively
notify patients waiting over 40 weeks for treatment of their
right to choose to be treated elsewhere.
In his letter, the Secretary of State writes that he would be
open to requests from the devolved administrations to allow
patients in Wales and Scotland who are waiting for lengthy
periods to choose to be treated at providers in England, NHS or
independent sector – building on the current arrangements for
cross-border healthcare.
The Secretary of State has also asked UK health ministers to
discuss how health data can be made more comparable across the
UK. Northern Ireland official counterparts have also been invited
to the ministerial meeting.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“I hugely value being able to share knowledge and experiences on
the joint challenges facing our healthcare systems. I want to
support collaboration between our nations to share best
practices, improve transparency and provide better accountability
for patients.
“This will help to ensure we are joined up when it comes to
cutting waiting lists – one of the government’s top five
priorities – and will allow us to better work together to improve
performance and get patients seen more quickly.”
Ends
Notes to editors
- We will work with DAs to arrange a ministerial meeting on
this topic as soon as possible.
