Hospital Waiting List unlikely to improve

“We’re here for you”. These are the words that greet you on the NHS website. However, the question at the forefront of most patients’ minds is ‘How long is the waiting list?’

A common experience for patients in England is the long wait for medical treatment. BBC News recently reported that the Government’s target to reduce hospital waiting lists in England is in doubt. BBC News revealed 7.68 million people were waiting for treatment at the end of July.

We all know somebody on a waiting list of some sort: a loved one, a friend, a colleague, a neighbour; the list goes on. But what exactly does this longer wait mean to us as patients? In reality, the impact will vary depending on why you are on a waiting list. If you are a patient suspected to have cancer or have been diagnosed with cancer, this brings a new worry.

National cancer campaigns work tirelessly to raise awareness about how detecting cancer early on is key. So, what is the impact of the longer waiting lists? Cancer Research UK has some answers after analysing data specific to England for July 2023. They considered the results for four key cancer services:

• Urgent suspected cancer referrals standard: 93% of patients should be seen within two weeks of an urgent suspected cancer referral. The data revealed only 77.5% of patients were seen by a specialist.
• The Faster Diagnosis Standard: 75% of patients should be diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days of an urgent referral. This nearly met the target of 74.1%.
• The 62-day standard: 85% of patients should receive their diagnosis and start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral. The data revealed only 62.6% of patients did.
• The 31-day standard: 96% of people should start treatment within 31 days of doctors deciding on a treatment plan. This was a reality for 91.8% of patients.

These are frightening statistics. Being referred, waiting for tests and a possible diagnosis and treatment plan is distressing enough, without the additional burden of longer waiting times.

Research published online in the BMJ revealed how the risk of death increased by around 10% if treatment was delayed by one month. The percentage varied between 6% to 13% and continued to rise the longer treatment was delayed.

These longer waiting lists must be tackled so patients are not let down. In these current times, one cannot help but question whether the NHS really is there for them.

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