Your report highlighted the Institute for Fiscal Studies’ “central scenario” that the waiting list for operations would “begin to decline consistently but slowly from mid-2024”, but would remain as high as 6.5 million by December 2027 (the waiting lists of the NHS are falling, but will remain above pre-Covid levels until 2030, says IFS, February 29). The authors point out that the waiting list will still be higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
More than half of respondents (56%) to our recent surgical workforce survey said access to operating rooms is a major challenge. If political leaders are serious about helping the millions of people on waiting lists in pain and uncertainty, they must bring forward a fully funded plan that increases the capacity of the NHS.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England has campaigned for more surgical centers in every part of the country to help patients whose lives are essentially in limbo as they wait months or even years for a planned operation. Frontline staff are under significant pressure and are doing everything they can to reduce long waiting times. The government must meet them in the middle.
Investments in operating rooms and surgical centers are crucial to get healthcare back on track. The upcoming budget must reflect a commitment to funding this effort.
Tim Mitchell
President, Royal College of Surgeons of England