NHS waiting list progress grinds to a halt as top medic flags 'critical issues'

The NHS waiting list in England has risen for the third month in a row.

New NHS data shows progress in tackling the backlog has stalled after falling since Labour came to power last year. The total waiting list for routine hospital treatments increased slightly by nearly 12,000 in August, reaching 7.41 million. Surgeons say the Government must invest more in hospital buildings and surgical equipment to speed up the number of patients they can operate on.

Professor Peter Friend, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England called on the Treasury to give the NHS “the tools and care it needs to deliver”.

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Professor Friend said: “As we head into another tough winter, the government must face facts: without urgent investment in NHS infrastructure and support for staff wellbeing, progress on reducing waiting times will remain slow. Surgeons are ready to do more but are held back by critical resource issues - a lack of operating time, staff vacancies, and equipment.”

Some 7.41 million treatments were waiting to be carried out at the end of August, relating to 6.26 million patients. This was up slightly from 7.40 million treatments and 6.25 million patients at the end of July. The list hit a record high in September 2023, with 7.77 million treatments and 6.5 million patients.

NHS England said it has still delivered record numbers of elective and cancer treatments for the summer months. Some 4.6 million elective cases were managed by the NHS between June and August - up 138,000 on last year. This came as doctors went on a five day strike at the end of July. August saw the number of treatments delivered per working day up 4.4% on the previous August.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said: “This has been a record-breaking summer for the NHS, with more cancer cases diagnosed or ruled out and more tests and checks delivered than any summer before. We know there’s more to do that’s why we’re pressing ahead with new surgical hubs, evening and weekend scans, and cutting-edge technology to get millions more patients treated on time.”

The figures show the NHS recovery is on a knife edge just as ministers are negotiating a deal on medicines which could force the NHS to pay billions of pounds more for drugs. Fears are growing that a reported move to pay 25% more for drugs will leave a black hole in the NHS budget and mean patients wait longer to be treated.

US President Donald Trump had threatened to impose huge tariffs on drug imports including from UK firms if the NHS did not pay higher prices. This sparked a concerted move by pharmaceutical giants to halt investment into the UK citing low drug prices negotiated by the NHS as a reason.

Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said “These figures are incredibly alarming. With the Autumn Budget not far away this is the government’s chance to invest in the NHS, including additional beds in properly equipped and staffed clinical spaces.”

Some 75.0% of patients in England were seen within four hours in A&Es last month, down from 75.9% in August. The Government and NHS England have set a target of March 2026 for 78% of patients attending A&E to be admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England’s medical director, said: “NHS staff made history this summer, delivering record-breaking levels of care for this time of year. But we’re not slowing down. With A&E and ambulance demand already higher than last year, staff are gearing up for a tough looking winter.

“As ever, the public can play their part by getting your flu, Covid, and RSV jabs if eligible, using NHS 111 for non-urgent help, and calling 999 or visiting A&E for life-threatening emergencies.”

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Despite another rise in the elective NHS waiting list a recent report concluded that Labour is on course to slash the NHS waiting list by almost three million appointments this parliament.

The Health Foundation calculated that increased productivity following recent investment is rescuing the health service after a decade of soaring waits under the Tories. It forecast that on current trends it would cut the NHS backlog by 41% by the next election. However it warned that strikes by doctors and other NHS staff over pay could blow the recovery off course.

Minister Kinnock added: “Backed by £29 billion in extra funding this year, our investment and reforms are delivering real results for patients – and none of it would be possible without the tireless commitment of our NHS staff. Through our Plan for Change we are making our NHS fit for the future."