Responding to the latest NHS England waiting list data, RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said:
"Even after the government’s astonishing admission last week that waiting lists would continue to grow, nursing staff and patients alike will be deeply concerned by these figures. Now, a record 7.47 million people are sitting on an NHS waiting list, with the number of people waiting more than a year for treatment also increasing.
"All of this points to a health and care system in crisis. Too many people are waiting too long to receive care and are suffering chronic ill health while they wait. For many, their situations will worsen during this time and may become harder to treat. Nursing staff are under unrelenting pressure while they try to manage the backlog.
"The data shows the Prime Minister is struggling to keep his pledge to cut waiting lists now. The recently announced NHS workforce plan has lofty aspirations to attract, train and retain nursing staff in the longer term. But nursing staff and patients waiting need urgent action to resolve the crisis, fast. One way to help reduce waiting lists and reduce the crisis in the nursing workforce is by awarding a fair pay rise for nursing, and would demonstrate the government’s commitment to patients and staff."
Ends
Notes to Editors
According to the NHS Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times Data 2023-24 for May, an estimated 7.47 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of May, up from 7.42 million in March.
A total of 385,022 people in England had been waiting more than 52 weeks to start routine hospital treatment at the end of May. This was up from 371,111 (3.7%) at the end of April.
