NHS Waiting List Declines for First Time in 15 Years

The NHS waiting list in England has experienced its first decline in 15 years, according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. As of September 2024, the backlog stands at 7.39 million appointments for 6.24 million patients, a reduction of 15,845 appointments from August. Despite this positive development, patient demand remains at an all-time high as the health service approaches winter, creating additional challenges.

Streeting announced that this year marks a significant shift for the NHS. “The past year is the first time in 15 years that waiting lists have fallen. There’s a long way to go, but the NHS is now on the road to recovery,” he stated. This assertion comes amid reports of record levels of A&E attendances and ambulance calls, indicating that the service is under unprecedented pressure.

The waiting list had escalated to 7.6 million when the Labour Party took power in 2024, escalating from 2.5 million since the Conservative Party assumed office in 2010. As NHS England prepares for an influx of seasonal flu cases, the health service has already delivered over 14.4 million flu vaccines this autumn, surpassing last year’s figures by 160,000 vaccinations.

With a looming five-day strike starting on Friday, thousands of resident doctors across England are set to walk out, adding to the strain on the health system. Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, acknowledged the achievements in reducing waiting lists but cautioned that staff are nearing their limits. “Flu is peaking early and looking like it will be long-lasting, while industrial action comes on the back of the busiest October in A&E history,” she noted.

As of the end of September, 180,329 patients had been waiting over a year for routine hospital treatment, a drop from 190,549 in August. This represents 2.4% of those on the hospital treatment list, down from 2.6% the previous month. The Government and NHS England aim to reduce this figure to less than 1% by March 2026.

Despite the overall decline in waiting lists, some areas are still experiencing significant challenges. For instance, the number of patients waiting more than 18 months for treatment increased slightly from 1,418 in August to 1,489 in September. A year prior, this number was considerably higher at 2,701.

The outlook for urgent and emergency care remains concerning. In October, over 54,000 patients waited more than 12 hours in emergency departments, marking a nearly 10% increase compared to the same month last year. The NHS is striving to restore the 18-week standard for elective treatments, but achieving this goal may prove difficult.

Moreover, cancer treatment statistics have slipped further behind targets. In September, only 73.9% of patients referred for suspected cancer received a diagnosis or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, below the target of 75%. The percentage of patients who waited no longer than 62 days from a suspected cancer referral to their first definitive treatment was 67.9%, falling short of the 75%% target set for March 2026.

As the healthcare system braces for a demanding winter, Streeting emphasized the Government’s commitment to investing in the NHS. “Thanks to the investment and modernisation this Government has made, waiting lists are falling and patients are being treated sooner. We are cutting waste to reinvest billions over the coming years in frontline care,” he asserted.

The NHS continues to face significant hurdles, but the recent decline in waiting lists offers a glimmer of hope as the health service prepares to tackle the challenges ahead.