The NHS waiting list is decreasing once more as Health Secretary Wes Streeting expresses confidence in the health service’s recovery. In September, there were 7.39 million appointments backlogged in England for 6.24 million patients, marking a decrease of 15,845 appointments from the previous month and 230,000 fewer than in July 2024. Streeting highlighted that for the first time in 15 years, waiting lists have shown a decline, signifying progress towards recovery for the NHS.
Recent data also reveals that the NHS is experiencing its highest activity levels heading into winter, anticipating challenges from doctor strikes and a rise in flu cases. The waiting list in England hit 7.6 million when the Labour government assumed power in 2024, escalating from 2.5 million in 2010 when the Tories took office.
NHS England reported record A&E attendances and ambulance incidents for October, along with the delivery of 14.4 million flu vaccines this autumn, surpassing last year’s figures. As resident doctors gear up for a five-day strike from Friday, NHS national medical director Professor Meghana Pandit acknowledged the progress in reducing the waiting list but emphasized the strain on NHS staff amid early flu peaks and increased A&E demands.
The latest statistics disclosed that by the end of September, 180,329 people in England had waited more than a year for routine hospital treatment, down from 190,549 in August. Additionally, 1,489 patients had been waiting over 18 months, slightly up from the previous month. Tim Gardner from the Health Foundation highlighted the challenges ahead for the NHS, especially as winter approaches, stressing the need for prompt resolution to the ongoing doctor strike.
Moreover, cancer treatment targets saw a decline in performance in September, with fewer patients receiving timely diagnosis or treatment initiation. The government aims to improve these figures by March 2026. Concerns also persist about patients waiting in A&E departments for extended periods, indicating ongoing pressures on emergency care services.
Streeting commended the government’s investments and reforms, attributing the reduction in waiting lists and improved patient care to these efforts. He emphasized the government’s commitment to cutting waste, reallocating funds to frontline services, and safeguarding NHS investments in the upcoming Budget to address the impacts of over a decade of healthcare system decline.