Delays in NHS care have profound and often devastating consequences for patients across the UK.

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The Scale of the Crisis

Monthly data released by NHS England highlighted ongoing delays in treatment, which included delays relating to operations, cancer waiting lists, GP referrals, and A&E waiting times.  The key statistics for November 2024 reveals:

• 6.28 million individual patients are currently waiting for treatment.  

• 3.06 million patients have been waiting longer than 18 weeks.

• 222,000 patients have been waiting over a year for treatment, which has reduced by 235,000 since October 2024.  

• The current average waiting time for treatment stands at 14.0 weeks, compared to the pre-pandemic waiting time of 7.7 weeks.

• There are long waits of over 4 hours for emergency admission after a decision to admit for treatment has been made.  

• 11,000 patients have been waiting for over 62 days for cancer treatment.  

For every statistic, there is a human story—one of loss, pain, and suffering. The information shows that more people are waiting for treatment, that cancer targets are not being met, patients are being met with delays for emergency care, and GPs are finding it more difficult to make much needed referrals.  

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‍A System Under Pressure

The backlog in care dates back years but worsened significantly after the pandemic, when routine treatments were paused. Even before COVID-19, the NHS had not met its target to see and treat patients within 18 weeks since February 2016. The pandemic added an overwhelming volume of new cases, creating an uphill battle for recovery. Behind the scenes, NHS staff face relentless pressure. Systemic issues such as staffing shortages, insufficient resources, and aging infrastructure compound the delays. These challenges not only affect patients but also put healthcare workers in untenable positions, where mistakes and oversights are more likely.

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‍Plans for Reform

Recognising the crisis, the government has announced ambitious plans to reduce waiting times. These include:

• Two million additional diagnostic appointments per year, with expanded use of diagnostic centres.

• Expansion of surgical hubs, 14 new surgical hubs are to be created within existing hospitals, and 3 more will be expanded.  

• Partnerships with private hospitals, allowing patients to seek care where available faster.

• Driving up patient experience through a set of national standards for elective care.

The goal is to return to an 18-week maximum waiting time by 2029—a daunting challenge but a vital one. Health officials emphasise that cutting waiting times is about more than improving efficiency; it’s about saving lives. Addressing delays means fewer patients will suffer preventable harm, fewer families will endure unnecessary loss, and fewer resources will be spent on compensation rather than care.

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‍A Human Perspective

While plans for systemic improvements offer hope, it’s crucial to remember the individuals affected. Each delayed surgery, missed diagnosis, or prolonged treatment is more than a number; it’s a person whose life has been irrevocably changed. Patients and their families deserve better—an NHS that delivers timely, effective care without unnecessary suffering.

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Daniel Fourie, Consultant Paralegal, and Specialist Medical Negligence Paralegal from MDS states, ‘The statistics sheds light on the devastating human cost of NHS delays. The government proposals are welcomed so that other individuals and families can avoid life changing injuries and unnecessary pain and suffering as a result of similar delays to waiting lists.’

MDS is a specialist medical negligence law firm. We specialise in claims involving cancer, maternity claims, and cauda equina syndrome. Our expert solicitors represent clients all around England and Wales, and we are dedicated to helping people who have been injured by medical negligence.  

Our solicitors have extensive experience of representing clients and their families whose lives have been affected by the delay in diagnosis and care    Click here for further information concerning how we can help when there has been a delay in cancer treatment, or your care has been impacted by unnecessary waiting times.

If you are concerned about any care that you or a member of your family has received, please contact our experienced team on 0116 254 7456 or email: enquiries@moosaduke.com. You can also enquire online by clicking here.  

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