The RCP has responded to new analysis by the Health Foundation which suggests that the NHS is unlikely to meet the constitutional standard of 92% of patients receiving elective treatment within 18 weeks by 2029, This is reinforced by the latest NHS England performance statistics, which show no improvement since the 65% recovery target was met in March.
New analysis from the Health Foundation projects that by 2029, 92% of elective treatment waits will be within 34.9 weeks, almost double the NHS constitutional standard of 18 weeks.
The latest NHS England figures underline these concerns, showing that progress in reducing waiting times has stalled. The proportion of patients receiving elective treatment within 18 weeks has remained at around 65% since March, raising questions about whether the government's target of reaching 92% by 2029 is achievable.
At the same time, pressures elsewhere in the health service continue to grow. More than 2.4 million people attended A&E in September, the highest September figure on record. Over 50,000 patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E after a decision to admit, also a record for September. An average of 761 patients a day were treated in temporary escalation spaces and corridors, an increase of 12.4% compared with August.
Millions of people are still waiting for planned care. Long waits can have serious consequences, with patients' conditions worsening while they wait for diagnosis, specialist advice or treatment.
Delayed care can lead to poorer outcomes, more complex interventions, longer recovery times and greater pressure on patients, staff, and the wider health service. The RCP's Prescription for outpatients report highlighted the vital role that planned specialist care can play in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and the ongoing management of long-term conditions. Ensuring timely access to outpatient care helps prevent deterioration, improve outcomes and reduce pressure across the wider NHS.
Dr Hilary Williams, RCP clinical vice president, said:
‘While NHS staff continue to make progress in reducing the backlog, millions of patients are still waiting too long for planned care. Delays can mean worsening symptoms, deteriorating physical and mental health, more complex treatment and longer recovery times.
‘Timely access to planned specialist care is one of the most effective ways to prevent conditions from worsening and reduce the need for more intensive treatment later. The longer people wait for diagnosis, specialist advice or treatment, the greater the risk that their health will deteriorate and the more difficult their recovery may become.
‘Long waits do not affect everyone equally. Previous analysis from the Health Foundation has shown that inequalities in elective care waiting times persist across the NHS, with people in more deprived communities often waiting longer for treatment than those in more affluent areas. No patient should face worse access to care because of where they live, their income or their background.