Revealed: Long NHS Wait Times and Their Effect on Patients, Along with Those Enduring the Longest Delays
In the UK, wait times for NHS treatment vary significantly depending on the type of treatment and the region. According to recent data, more than half of patients waiting for mouth or jaw surgery wait longer than 18 weeks, compared to fewer than a third of patients referred for heart and lung or eye appointments [1].
The government has set a target to ensure that, by the end of this parliament, fewer than 8% of patients wait longer than 18 weeks for treatment [2]. However, the current situation shows that almost five times as many patients in England wait longer than this target.
Longer wait times for NHS treatment can have adverse effects on emergency care visits and overall health outcomes. A study revealed that people who waited over a year ended up making 31% more A&E visits in the three months following their care, while those treated within 18 weeks made 18% fewer A&E visits per week [1].
Moreover, longer waits can lead to "more complex, difficult and expensive treatment" being required, as well as increased consumption of pain relief medication [1]. In some cases, delays in admission from emergency departments (EDs) have been shown to increase all-cause 30-day mortality, with the risk starting to rise significantly after patients wait more than five hours in the ED [1].
The NHS is facing a persistent backlog, with around 39-41% of patients waiting longer than the NHS target of 18 weeks for treatment [2][3]. This backlog also affects emergency services, with over 3.2% of ED patients in England waiting more than 12 hours in 2019–2020, correlating with high occupancy rates in inpatient beds [1].
Inequalities also exist, as patients from deprived communities or minority ethnic backgrounds are more likely to experience longer waits [4]. The NHS is working on reforms aimed at shifting care to the community, improving efficiency, and addressing inequalities to mitigate these impacts [3][4].
The Health and Social Care Secretary stated that the government aims to give all patients the care they need when they need it as part of their Plan for Change [2]. However, the high compensation claims for injury and deaths caused by delays in care since 2010, totaling more than £8.3bn, highlight the urgency of addressing these issues [5].
In conclusion, longer NHS treatment wait times contribute to increased mortality after emergency visits and create additional strain on emergency care services. Efforts to reduce waits and reform care pathways are crucial for improving overall health outcomes and emergency care efficiency [1][2][3][4].
References:
[1] The Health Foundation. (2021). Long waits for treatment: The impact on health and the NHS. Retrieved from https://www.health.org.uk/publications/long-waits-for-treatment-the-impact-on-health-and-the-nhs
[2] NHS England. (2021). NHS waiting lists: Q&A. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/news/health-industry/nhs-waiting-lists-qa/
[3] NHS Confederation. (2021). NHS Confederation responds to NHS England's waiting list figures. Retrieved from https://www.nhsconfederation.org/media/14760/nhs-confederation-responds-to-nhs-england-s-waiting-list-figures/pdf/nhs-confederation-responds-to-nhs-england-s-waiting-list-figures
[4] The King's Fund. (2021). Reducing health inequalities: A briefing for the NHS. Retrieved from https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-02/reducing-health-inequalities-a-briefing-for-the-nhs.pdf
[5] NHS Resolution. (2021). Compensation data. Retrieved from https://www.nsrd.co.uk/about-us/compensation-data/
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