All articles tagged with #waiting lists
The NHS is struggling to meet the demand for adult ADHD services, with many areas closing waiting lists or tightening access criteria, leaving patients in limbo and risking worsening mental health and social outcomes. Experts warn of the need for an overhaul of support systems, as delays and rationing threaten to exacerbate the condition's impact.
Gynaecology waiting lists in the UK have more than doubled since February 2020, with over 755,000 appointments pending, affecting around 630,000 women. Conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and menopause care are causing significant delays, impacting women's health and quality of life. Health leaders criticize the lack of priority given to women's health, urging for more funding and better management. Despite some improvements, the situation remains dire compared to pre-pandemic levels, with calls for government action to address the crisis.
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak admitted in a TalkTV interview with Piers Morgan that the government has failed to fulfill its pledge to reduce NHS waiting lists in England, citing the impact of industrial action in the health service. Sunak also defended the policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda to deter Channel crossings, and accepted a £1,000 bet that deportation flights would resume before the next election. The admission comes after Sunak set out five priorities in January 2023, including measures on the economy and illegal immigration, with NHS waiting list reduction being one of them. As of November 2023, the overall number of waits for non-emergency care in England stood at around 7.6 million, approximately 400,000 higher than at the start of 2023.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has stated that avoiding a winter crisis in the NHS is her top priority. The health service is facing potential pressure this winter due to record waiting lists and warnings about fewer extra beds. Planning for winter started earlier than usual, resulting in the creation of 5,000 additional beds. However, the government's target to reduce waiting lists is at risk of failing unless doctors abandon plans for industrial action, which has already led to the rescheduling of 1.1 million appointments. The Health Foundation think tank estimates that industrial action has added around 210,000 patients to the waiting list.