Stephen Barclay: The NHS is here to help – and always will be

(Steve Parsons/PA)
PA Wire
Stephen Barclay10 August 2022
WEST END FINAL

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Last February this government promised no one would wait more than two years for routine treatment such as operations, scans and checks, and pledged that this would be achieved by the end of July, after wait times built up during the pandemic.

Today we have virtually eliminated these excessive waits, as the first step in clearing the Covid backlogs. Aside from a small number of patients who were reluctant to travel for treatment, and an even smaller number where the complexity of their needs meant they needed treatment at multiple NHS sites, this excess waiting list has been eliminated.

We always expected a very small number of people would still be waiting over two years in July, and we have been upfront about this. Those small number of patients will be prioritised, and they will be treated as a matter of urgency.

Whilst at its peak the two years plus waiting list was at 22,500, and a further 51,000 would have breached two years by the end of July, so far this year we have reduced this by almost 90%.

This has been achieved despite the continuing challenge of high Covid rates in hospitals which has caused patients to continue to present to A&E, and take up beds on wards and in Intensive Care. And this has also been achieved despite the pressures Covid has put on staffing, with doctors and nurses having to take time off to self-isolate.

In London in particular, the total number of patients remaining on the two-year waiting list, either by choice or because of complex treatment, is now down from 1,200 in January to just 82 – the second lowest of any other region in England.

This includes just 50 people due to choice and 31 due to needing more specialised treatment – with no one waiting due to capacity. This is a testament to the fantastic work of NHS staff in the capital, who have worked day and night to get people the treatment they need. We have made significant progress in beating the Covid backlog. But we are not stopping here.

Overall waiting lists continue to rise as we estimate around 10 million people didn’t come forward for treatment during the pandemic. That is why we have invested record amounts into the health service. We have rolled out over 90 community diagnostic hubs delivering over 1.5 million extra checks and scans closer to where you live, so that you can get a faster diagnosis.

And there are 91 surgical hubs across the country to fast-track life-changing operations and checks. For example, patients in Romford have benefitted from the fantastic clinically-led initiatives Barking, Havering & Redbridge NHS Trust are using to drive reductions in their waiting lists – including running six special Saturday clinics where they saw over 1,000 patients, and a one-stop-shop spinal review clinic helping prepare patients in need of surgery.

We are also innovating in the tech space, including the NHS App, which will provide personalised care for patients and allow them to manage appointments and share information. Plus the My Planned Care platform is giving people greater transparency on waiting times, so that you can see how long on average you will be waiting, and you will be signposted to support while you wait.

This type of innovation alongside tech and new ways of working will help us continue to reduce waiting times and bust the Covid backlog. Please come forward if you need care. The NHS is here to help, and it always will be.

Stephen Barclay MP is the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

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