NHS Confederation - NHS waiting lists are too long and not enough is being done reveals new poll ahead of winter

17 Nov 2015 04:36 PM

A new poll, commissioned by the NHS Partners Network, reveals that 74% of British adults agree that waiting times in the NHS are too long and only 20% agree that the Government is doing enough to reduce waiting times in the NHS.

The poll also reveals that more than seven in ten British adults (72%) agree that as long as care remains free at the point of use, the NHS should make use of private sector providers in order to reduce pressure on NHS hospitals during the winter months

This comes as Referral to Treatment Waiting Time (RTT) data shows that NHS patients continue to be faced with long waiting times this winter.  As greater pressure is placed on hospital trusts, many patients risk having to wait for longer than the 18-week target for treatment while capacity in the independent sector remains unused. 

To help alleviate pressure on the NHS as winter approaches the independent sector has made available over 250,000 additional surgical operations and diagnostic tests to help support the NHS between December 2015 and March 2016.  This is additional capacity to the tens of thousands of procedures scheduled to be delivered already by the independent sector this winter to ensure that patients are not faced with unnecessarily long waits that can be distressing for patients and families, and have a negative impact on patient outcomes.

David Hare, Chief Executive, NHS Partners Network said: 

“The public are telling us that we are failing patients if we do not strain every sinew over winter to utilise all available capacity across the health and care system to help ensure timely access to services. 

“It is not acceptable that patients are left to wait over 18 weeks for treatment while available capacity goes unused.  

“NHS patients have the right to request to be seen by an independent sector provider – and no patients should be left to wait when there is a viable alternative for treatment. Nothing should stand in the way of making sure NHS patients are seen and treated as safely and quickly as possible – by both the NHS and the independent sector – and we hope that this additional independent sector capacity over the winter months will be welcomed by patients and their families who need access to vital NHS services.” 

Further findings from the poll include:

• Almost three quarters of British adults (73%) agree that if waiting times at local hospitals exceed 18 weeks, they would choose to receive care at a private hospital delivering NHS care as long as it remained free at the point of use. (Note: patients do not need to wait up until 18 weeks to see an independent provider). 

• 64% of those surveyed agree that as long as NHS care is always free at the point of use, it does not matter whether care is given by public or private providers

• As long as care remains free at the point of use, the majority of the public are open to using a range of providers if it means they are able to be treated more quickly