The NHS is launching a significant reform of hospital waiting lists, aiming to remove 300,000 patients who no longer need specialist care or could be treated elsewhere. This initiative, led by NHS Chief Executive Sir Jim Mackey and supported by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, is designed to streamline the system and reduce waiting times.
Hospitals will be incentivized to review waiting lists and direct patients with common conditions—such as back pain, cataracts, and gynecological issues—to GPs, physiotherapists, or community health hubs. The initiative is expected to cut bureaucracy and improve access to care by boosting GP consultations with specialists to prevent unnecessary referrals. Only patients who are reviewed by a doctor and deemed no longer needing specialist care will be removed from the lists.
Officials believe that these changes will alleviate pressure on hospitals, shorten waiting times, and ensure patients receive more timely and appropriate care.
NHS Performance Statistics Highlight Ongoing Challenges
NHS England’s February performance statistics show progress, but significant challenges remain. Only 59.2% of patients were treated within 18 weeks, falling far short of the 92% target set by the government. The overall waiting list stands at 7.4 million, with over 193,500 patients waiting more than a year for treatment.
Despite these challenges, there have been some improvements. The median waiting time for treatment dropped slightly to 14.2 weeks, and diagnostic testing capacity increased by 91,500 tests compared to February 2024. Cancer treatment pathways also showed progress, particularly in the 28-day referral pathway, which reached its highest-ever level at 80.2%.
Additionally, between July 2024 and January 2025, over 3.1 million extra appointments were made, surpassing the government’s target of 2 million.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting praised the improvements, noting that these changes are beginning to make a real difference in patient care.
NHS Leaders Emphasize Need for Ongoing Reform
Rory Deighton, Director of the NHS Confederation’s Acute Network, acknowledged the improvements but stressed that much work remains. He highlighted the continued high demand for A&E services and ambulances, particularly in March, when emergency departments saw their second-highest attendance levels on record. While response times improved, Deighton warned that the increasing demand for NHS services shows no signs of abating.
Deighton also noted the need for tough decisions, as integrated care boards face a mandate to cut running costs by 50%. Leaders will need to balance performance improvements with long-term sustainability reforms.
GP Access Faces Delays
New figures indicate a worsening ‘postcode lottery’ in GP access, with one in ten patients in some areas waiting over 28 days for an appointment. Research by the House of Commons Library shows that month-long waits increased in 95% of regions last year, with Kent and Medway among the worst-affected areas. Despite the addition of 1,500 new GPs since October, demand for services remains high. The Liberal Democrats are advocating for a legal right to a GP appointment within seven days.
NHS and Care System Fragmentation Hurting Patients
A report from the Health Services Safety Investigations Body highlights the negative impact of the fragmented health and care system in England. The report points to poor coordination between NHS services and care providers, leading to delays, missed appointments, and burnout among patients and carers, particularly for those with long-term conditions. Investigators are calling for urgent reforms, including a single point of contact for patients to navigate the system more efficiently.
Key Policy Advisors Depart from Number 10 Team
In a shake-up of the government’s health policy team, Tom Webb, the Prime Minister’s adviser on health and public service reform, has been dismissed. Webb, along with Nick Williams, the adviser on planning and infrastructure, was asked to leave as part of an effort to speed up policy implementation. It is unclear who will replace them in these critical roles.
NHS Leadership Pushes for Stronger Emergency Care Reforms
NHS England leaders are pushing for more ambitious emergency care reforms. Officials criticized draft versions of the urgent and emergency care recovery plan as lacking in ambition. The plan, which was expected to be published in the spring, has been repeatedly delayed but is now expected by the end of the month. NHS leaders stress that improvements need to focus on organizational changes rather than solely blaming high demand and bed shortages.
New Treatment Approved for Advanced Bladder Cancer
A new treatment for advanced bladder cancer has been approved for use on the NHS. Erdafitinib, a once-daily tablet, has shown significant benefits in clinical trials, extending overall survival by more than four months and doubling progression-free survival compared to standard chemotherapy. The approval provides hope for approximately 423 patients annually in England. Action Bladder Cancer UK welcomed the approval, calling it “just the start of new hope” for bladder cancer patients and their families.
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