The never-ending strikes in the NHS have resulted in a record-high waiting list for routine operations, as the health service grapples with its busiest summer ever. Official figures reveal that England’s backlog for procedures such as hip and knee replacements now stands at 7.6 million, leaving approximately one in seven people across the country stuck in the system awaiting care. Over 380,000 patients have been waiting for treatment for a year or more, often in considerable pain.
The prolonged strikes, led by junior doctors, nurses, and other NHS staff demanding substantial pay increases, have impeded efforts to address the record backlogs that accumulated during the Covid pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of procedures and appointments have had to be cancelled, adding further pressure to already overwhelmed hospitals.
In addition to the backlog, A&E departments also faced their second busiest July ever, with 2.1 million attendances. Although 74% of emergency department attendees were seen within four hours, this falls short of the NHS standard of 95% being admitted, transferred, or discharged within that timeframe.
Junior doctors, who are seeking a 35% salary increase, are set to go on their fifth strike in the ongoing dispute, walking out for four days starting from 7am. Consultants, who earn an average of over £100,000, are planning a 48-hour strike of their own from August 24. Further action is anticipated in September if the government refuses to engage in pay talks.
Experts have described the NHS as being in a perpetual state of winter, and have called on ministers to resolve the deadlock with unions so that the backlog can finally start to decrease. Traditionally, the summer months offer hospitals a respite before the usual influx of seasonal pressures such as flu and norovirus. However, the current situation shows that the summer of 2023 is on track to be the busiest in NHS history.
Recent figures from the NHS reveal that the overall waiting list grew by 100,000 to 7.57 million in June, marking the highest total since records began. While the government had set a target to eliminate the backlog by April, strikes within the health service have made this task more challenging.
To address the backlog, health authorities have announced a plan to match patients with hospitals further away from their homes. Patients waiting for diagnosis or treatment will be given a profile detailing their symptoms and how far they are willing to travel. These profiles will be reviewed by managers at private and NHS providers across the country who have spare capacity and can take over their care. Some consultations may also be conducted remotely.
Despite the challenges, NHS staff are working hard to improve waiting times for urgent and emergency care and tackle the backlog by conducting more tests and checks than ever before. However, strikes continue to disrupt services, with over 700,000 NHS appointments cancelled since the strikes began seven months ago.
In conclusion, urgent action is needed to alleviate the strain on the NHS and ensure that winter plans are implemented effectively. Failure to do so may result in a repeat of the difficulties faced last winter and calls for major incident plans. It is crucial that a resolution is reached with the unions to prevent further disruption to patient care and provide the necessary support for exhausted staff.
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