Responding to the National Audit Office’s report into NHS backlogs and waiting times in England, David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said:

 “Today’s NAO report on the NHS elective care backlog highlights the significant pressures on the NHS, and that despite the tireless efforts of healthcare staff all around the country, millions of patients are finding it increasingly difficult to access the care they need.

“Given the scale of the challenge, it’s vital that the Government’s forthcoming elective care recovery plan ensures that all available resources are deployed in order to tackle the backlog. This includes the use of independent sector providers, which the NAO’s report makes clear played a key role in ensuring non-covid services could continue during the pandemic, with the delivery of over 3.3m NHS procedures.”