NHS figures show a service under severe strain, despite some improvements

Commenting on the publication today of the NHS monthly performance statistics, senior policy fellow at the Health Foundation Tim Gardner said:  

‘While falling rates of flu and COVID-19 have provided some respite, today’s figures show the NHS remains under severe strain.

‘Pressures are being felt right across the health and care system but are most acute in urgent and emergency care. Ambulance response times improved substantially in January 2023. A&E waiting times also rebounded from last month’s record low, although over 482,000 people still waited over 4 hours. While these are grounds for cautious optimism, performance is still well below where it should be and worse than before the pandemic.

‘The waiting list for routine operations has stayed broadly unchanged, despite significant disruption from ongoing industrial action. However, this still leaves over 406,000 patients having waited over a year to start treatment with many experiencing avoidable pain and suffering.

‘If the government is committed to addressing the crisis in the NHS, it needs to produce a robust, comprehensive plan for getting the NHS and social care onto a more sustainable footing, including addressing workforce shortages and breaking the deadlock on industrial action.' 

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Creina Lilburne
Creina.Lilburne@health.org.uk
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