![Think tank states NHS waiting list could hit ten million by April](https://chadlaw.dnsupdate.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/GettyImages-844400552-724x388.jpg)
23
Feb 2021
Think tank states NHS waiting list could hit ten million by April
A think tank has claimed waiting lists for NHS surgery in England could reach ten million by April, and has called for hospitals to use more capacity within the private sector to reduce delays for patients.
In a recent report, think tank Reform said the worst case scenario for patient waits may see one in six people in England waiting for treatment by April. It added that the impact of coronavirus had turned the NHS into a “national Covid service” with six million fewer referrals for treatment in 2020.
It warned that the treatment delays could have catastrophic consequences for patients with an estimated 1,660 additional deaths from lung cancer alone.
However, NHS leaders have responded to the report, saying it is inaccurate to say the NHS have focused only on Covid, and that despite widespread cancellations, it has continued to treat other patients.
Professor Stephone Powis, medical director of NHS England, said “The NHS has never been a Covid only service – for every Covid patient in hospital, the NHS is treating three people for other conditions – and it is obviously a disservice to the work done by our staff who have kept services going throughout the pandemic to suggest otherwise.
“Even during the highest point of pressure during the pandemic, the waiting list was actually lower than it was at the same point last year and twice as many elective treatments were delivered as well as around three times as many diagnostic checks in the second wave, compared to the first”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 7382
- Like this ? Share with friends