Responding to the latest NHS England waiting list data, RCN Director for England, Patricia Marquis, said:
“Despite the Prime Minister saying cutting waiting lists is one of his top priorities, waiting times continue to head in the wrong direction and reflect a health and care system in crisis.
“Nursing staff are working around the clock to get to those waiting for the care they need. But with tens of thousands of vacancies, waiting times will not get shorter until the government addresses this and invests in the staff who have been neglected for too long. This has to start with paying nursing staff fairly.
“The much-promised workforce plan must contain fully funded plans to provide the staff needed to bring the lists down. Without this the Prime Minister will fail to deliver on his priority and waiting lists will continue to grow.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Latest NHS England data shows the number of people in England waiting to start routine hospital treatment has risen to a record high. An estimated 7.4 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of April, up from 7.3 million in March. It is the highest number since records began in August 2007.
