NHS backlog reaches all-time high with one million on more than one waiting list in England

The NHS backlog in England has reached a record high, with around one million people in England on more than one waiting list for treatment.

Most are on two or three waiting lists, but some will be on up to five.  Many will be elderly people waiting for a range of non-emergency treatments, including everything from hip and knee replacements to those who may need physiotherapy or drug therapies.

Chief nurse at the Royal College of Nursing, Professor Nicola Ranger, said the government “had lost control” of waiting times, adding “These lists have been growing for years and the shortage of nurses is one of the fundamental causes.”

The backlog has continued to rise this year, despite the prime minister’s promise to cut down waiting lists, although progress has been made on tackling the longest waits of more than 18 months.

NHS Providers’ Saffron Cordery, said there was a “deep sense of frustration” about the lack of extra funding.

“This will undoubtedly have knock-on consequences for the health service and patient care.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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