NHS waiting lists have exceeded seven million people for the first time since records began. That means nearly 12 per cent of people in England are waiting for consultant-led treatment. A&E waiting times broke records too: nearly 33,000 people waited more than 12 hours from decision to admit to admission. The target is four hours.
This all adds to a difficult week for the health service. Staff shortages affecting the whole economy – a record 2.5 million people are not working due to long-term sickness – are now being felt in the NHS too. Recently some hospitals have experienced a shortage of blood because of donation centres having to close due to problems getting enough staff. Multiple hospitals were also affected by problems with the electronic patient records system. Among doctors and nurses there’s a feeling that the wheels have well and truly come off.
The NHS is having to make £14 billion in efficiency savings and inflation has eaten away at budgets, leaving a £7 billion shortfall.
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