Political pledges on the NHS need to be backed with long-term solutions

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 shows that despite the huge efforts of NHS staff to reduce waiting lists, patients are still experiencing unacceptably long waits for hospital treatment.

‘In September, over 33,000 patients spent over 12 hours in A&E departments waiting for a bed. The waiting list for routine operations continues to rise, reaching a new high of 7.75 million in August, with over 396,000 having waited longer than a year.

‘With patients struggling to receive timely care, unsustainable pressures on key services, and ongoing industrial action, it's not surprising our latest survey with Ipsos finds that the public is pessimistic about prospects for the year ahead.

‘Both major political parties have stressed their resolute commitment to the NHS in recent weeks. However, a national crisis over a decade in the making means that campaign slogans must be matched by concrete plans for improving care, retaining staff, and reforming our neglected social care system.'

Media contact

Billie Morgan
Billie.morgan@health.org.uk
020 7257 8000