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

“With today’s figures showing yet another significant jump in the number of people waiting for care with NHS waiting lists at a record 6.4 million, it’s vital that the clear commitments in the recent NHS elective recovery plan to ramp up activity and give patients more choice and control of their care are now translated into concrete action to improve access to treatment.

“Tackling the elective backlog is the public’s number one priority for the NHS and people will now want to see the Government delivering on its promises, including significantly increasing the use of independent providers, and doing all it can to ensure that the additional National Insurance funding boost which is now in force delivers improved services for patients.”