Controversy surrounds UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s handling of the National Health Service (NHS) after new data revealed that waiting list and waiting time targets were missed. Despite this, Sunak defended his NHS record by stating that “we are making headway” and that there has been a fall in the number of people waiting for routine hospital treatment. However, figures from March show that targets for the number of people seen in A&E within four hours were not met.
Labour strongly criticised the UK prime minister for failing the NHS. Health experts agree that challenges still lie ahead for the health service. Targets set for the NHS to eliminate waits of 65 weeks or more for treatment have been pushed back to September, but the aim to cut waiting lists is one of five priorities set out by Sunak.
As of February this year, 7.54 million planned treatments were waiting to be carried out, though this represents a slight decrease from the month before. Additionally, there was a 19% drop from January to the end of February in terms of the number of patients waiting more than 65 weeks for treatment. On the other hand, there were 2.35 million visits to A&E in March, making it one of the busiest months this year. Moreover, only 74.2% of patients were seen within four hours of attending A&E in March, which is below the 76% target.
Critics like the Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, contend that the Conservatives cut NHS spending despite millions of patients waiting in pain on endless waiting lists. He also argued that Sunak is in a “parallel universe” if he believes that the NHS is recovering. Have a story to share on NHS waiting lists? Contact the BBC journalist or get in touch in other ways provided
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