Missed target means patients continue to pay the price for NHS crisis

Commenting on the publication today of the NHS monthly performance statistics, Tim Gardner, Assistant Director of Policy at the Health Foundation said:  

'Today’s data confirms that the NHS has fallen short of its target to eliminate waits of over 18 months for hospital treatment. Although further progress has been made in cutting long waits, more than 10,000 patients were waiting for 18 months or more, with almost 360,000 waiting over a year by the end of March. 

'With services and staff under intense pressure, patients continue to pay the price. 1 in 10 patients with a serious condition, such as a heart attack, waited over an hour for an ambulance in April, with over 1 in 13 spending over 12 hours in A&E departments.  

Resolving the current pay disputes should help avoid more short-term disruption, so the recent headway made by the government and trade unions is welcome. However, this will not address the underlying challenges facing the health service and those who work in it. The workforce plan, long promised by the government to address chronic staff shortages and improve retention, must be published.'

Media contact

Billie Morgan
Billie.Morgan@health.org.uk
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