Waiting lists currently stand at a record 7.75 million.
The Health Foundation is calling for changes in policy and continued investment to clear the backlog.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made tackling waiting lists a priority at the beginning of 2023, but the government has since blamed ongoing strikes in the NHS for making the issue more challenging. Different groups of healthcare workers have been striking since December 2022 – including nurses, radiographers and ambulance drivers as well as medics – with the action impacting more than one million appointments.
“The projected increase alongside the rising financial impact of industrial action underscores the urgency of resolving the strikes,” she added. He added: “Eliminating the backlog for elective care and returning waiting times to 18 weeks is entirely possible – it was done in the early 2000s and it can be done again. However, it will be very challenging and will require sustained focus, policy action and investment.”
“It blows out of the water the Conservatives attempts to blame doctors and nurses for the crisis in the NHS."Credit: Jaime Lorriman/The Daily Telegraph/PAwith the first-ever joint walkout by junior doctors and consultants in historyThe British Medical Association said consultants will hold off calling more strikes until November to allow for negotiations.
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