Waits of a year for NHS treatment soar by 15% - despite PM's vow to slash delays

16 July 2023 , 23:01

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Waiting lists for NHS treatment have spiralled to record levels (Image: PA)

The number of patients waiting a year for NHS treatment has rocketed by 15% in the past year, analysis shows - despite Rishi Sunak's pledge to slash delays.

The Prime Minister has made cutting NHS waiting lists one of his top five priorities ahead of the next election. But the Lib Dems said NHS figures show year-long waits rose in the 12 months to May.

NHS England data shows there were 333,119 patients waiting 52 weeks for treatment in May 2022. By May 2023,the number soared to 385,022.

Lib Dem health spokeswoman Daisy Cooper said: "Rishi Sunak promised that NHS waiting lists would fall, instead they keep rising with thousands of people left waiting in pain for the treatment they need.”

The Lib Dems said the figures revealed a "stark postcode lottery", with waits of a year more far more common in some areas than others.

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Rishi Sunak vowed to slash NHS waiting lists as part of his five pledges to the nation (Getty Images)

Trafford Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Manchester ICB in the North West were the worst affected areas, with close to 13% of patients on an NHS waiting list for at least 12 months.

In Brighton and Hove, as well as in Stockport, one in 10 patients had been waiting for care for at least a year in May. Sunderland in the North East had the fewest waits out of the ICBs in England, with fewer than 1% of patients enduring a year-long delay.

Ms Cooper added: "These figures reveal a stark postcode lottery, with some areas seeing more than one in eight patients who have been stuck on an NHS waiting list for a year or more.

"The Government's failure to get to grips with soaring NHS waiting times is causing untold suffering and damaging our economy by leaving people too sick to return to work. The NHS is on its knees after years of Conservative neglect.

“Ministers have to take responsibility for tackling these unacceptable waits for treatment, instead of blaming everyone but themselves."

Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair warned an incoming Labour Government would need to focus on reforming the health service because there would be little cash to inject.

“Obviously the staff do a great job in difficult circumstances and I think the general experience of people is, if it's, if you're in really acute difficulty, then it still does provide very good care,” he told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday show.

“But a lot of the waiting list, a terrible Covid, of course, has made it all worse.

“The truth is, you're not going to have a lot more money to spend. But you do have to think, ‘How do we do things completely differently?’.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: "This Government is working to cut waiting times and the NHS is treating record numbers of patients each day.

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"We have virtually eliminated 18-month waits and are taking immediate action to bring down waits of over a year, including reducing the number of patients requiring outpatient follow-up appointments.

"Our Elective Recovery Taskforce is also going further to unlock the independent sector so patients can be treated more quickly."

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Ben Glaze