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Waiting lists for routine hospital treatment in England have risen for the first time in seven months, in a blow to the government’s claim that the backlog in NHS care is easing.
Patients were waiting for 7.42mn appointments at the end of March, an increase of 18,751 from February, NHS data showed on Thursday. The figure had been going down each month since August, when it stood at 7.64mn.
Reducing waiting times and improving NHS performance has become a cornerstone of how the Labour government expects to be held accountable by the public at the next general election.
The latest data comes as work is under way on the government’s draft 10-year plan for the NHS in England, expected in the spring, amid claims the draft version still lacks policies exciting enough to resonate with the British public.
Health officials said it was normal to see a rise in treatment demand between March and May, when waiting lists tend to get longer.
They added that there had been a slight improvement in some areas. The number of people waiting more than 52 weeks to begin routine hospital treatment fell from 194,000 in February, to 180,000 in March.
Responding to the latest NHS performance data, health secretary Wes Streeting said: “Since day one, we have been clear it will take time to reverse the disastrous waiting list we inherited.
“But since July, real progress has been made — including over winter. We have overseen a massive increase in appointments available to meet rising demand, reduced long waits and helped people get diagnosed quicker.
“Our plan for change will continue to put patients first as we work to end the misery felt by millions up and down the country who have been denied the care they need for too long.”
However, the latest waiting list data has raised concerns over the viability of this administration hitting its interim target that by March next year, 65 per cent of patients will begin treatment for an ailment or get the all-clear within 18 weeks of receiving a diagnosis.
Streeting has vowed that by the end of this parliament, 92 per cent of patients will receive this level care, an NHS target last met at the end of 2015.
Francesca Cavallaro, a senior Analytical Manager at the Health Foundation, said: “With a 10-year health plan, urgent and emergency care plan, and forthcoming spending review all due in the next few weeks, the government has the chance to set a clear direction for the health service.
“But ambitions and goals will need to be backed up with investment, reform and a clear plan to achieve them.”
