IHPN responds to drop in NHS waiting lists

Responding to the latest NHS performance figures, David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) said:

“While it’s welcome to see a small decrease in the overall NHS waiting list, what matters most to patients is how long they have to wait for their care. Today’s numbers show that the proportion of people being treated within the 18 week target remains stubbornly at just 61.5% – with the service needing to pull out all the stops if it has a hope of meeting its interim target for 65% of patients to be treated within this timeframe by the end of March, and ultimately ensure the overall target is met by the end of this Parliament.

“With the significant financial and operational pressures local NHS systems are currently managing, our members are telling us that NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across the country have been scaling back planned activity across both NHS and independent sector providers, not because capacity isn’t available, but because systems are under intense pressure to meet exceptionally challenging financial targets.

“While we recognise the hugely challenging position local NHS leaders are in, these changes are creating significant uncertainty for patients with thousands of NHS appointments and procedures now delayed or cancelled – leaving far too many people in unnecessary pain and unable to lead fulfilling, productive lives.

“The independent sector remains fully committed to reducing the backlog and last year removed more than 1.6 million people from the NHS waiting list. But to continue to do so effectively, and in line with the NHS and Independent Sector Partnership Agreement announced by the Prime Minister last year, there needs to be much greater stability, clarity and forward visibility in commissioning plans. We are calling on national and local leaders to work with the sector to ensure the capacity available now, can be deployed quickly and consistently, so patients receive timely care and the system can make sustained progress towards the 18-week target by the end of this Parliament.”