- Sunak defends NHS progress, misses A&E targets, faces criticism
- NHS still faces challenges despite marginal progress, missed targets
- Opposition criticizes Sunak, claims NHS underfunded, targets unmet
Rishi Sunak defended his performance on the NHS in light of new data indicating that crucial objectives for A&E waiting lists and times have been missed.
Mr Sunak stated, “We are making progress,” citing data indicating a marginal decline in the volume of individuals awaiting routine medical procedures at the hospital.
However, March data indicates that targets for the number of patients seen in A&E within four hours were not achieved.
According to Labour, the prime minister has neglected the NHS.
Matthew Taylor, the chief executive officer of the NHS Confederation, stated that the health service would confront future challenges.
According to the most recent data, approximately 74.2% of March visitors to Accident and Emergency were seen, admitted, transferred, or discharged within four hours. While falling short of the intended target of 76%, this figure did demonstrate progress in comparison to the preceding months.
An additional objective established for the NHS was to eradicate any treatment wait times of 65 weeks or longer by March of this year. This event has been rescheduled for September.
Mr Sunak stated, “This is inexcusable, and I am making every effort to reduce the length of the waiting list.”
Eliminating NHS waiting lists was one of the five objectives outlined by Mr Sunak in January 2023.
The total number of patients on the waiting list for routine treatments was 7.54 million in February, a marginal decrease from the previous month.
Nevertheless, when adjustments to the methodology employed to compile the list are considered, the data indicates a lack of progress rather than an increase in comparison to the preceding month.
Despite this, the number has decreased since its apex of 7.7 million in the latter part of last year.
Mr Sunak hypothesised that a greater number of patients might have been attended to in the absence of the protracted strike action initiated by junior physicians and consultants.
According to NHS England research published in March, the absence of the strike action might have prevented the treatment of approximately 430,000 additional patients.
“We still have more work to do, but our plan is working,” according to him.
- According to the most recent data from NHS England, there were an estimated 7.54 million planned treatments awaiting execution in February, of which 6.29 million involved patients (given that some patients were awaiting more than one procedure).
- At the end of February, 75,004 patients were awaiting treatment for more than 65 weeks, a decrease from 92,213 (19%) in January.
- March recorded 2.35 million visits to A&E, representing an 8.6% increase compared to March 2023, rendering it among the busiest months to date.
- In March, approximately 74.2% of patients presented to A&E within four hours, the highest percentage since April 2023 and an increase from 70.9% in February.
- “Broken” is how Louise Law, 56, described herself after learning of the lengthy delay for a knee replacement.
Last year, the Hampshire-based educator was advised to lose weight in anticipation of the operation. However, nearly two years after being referred, she is still awaiting treatment despite having complied with the doctor’s instructions.
Because of my extremely limited mobility, I did not feel secure or comfortable in the classroom.
Ms Law continued, “I have worked arduously, paid all my taxes and National Insurance premiums, and have always advocated for the NHS, but I feel completely abandoned and forgotten by the system.”
Labour’s opposition health secretary, Wes Streeting, stated, “Rishi Sunak has been unsuccessful with the NHS. He has fallen short of his objectives to reduce ambulance and A&E wait times.
When every moment counts, patients who are suspected of having heart attacks or strokes are delayed for nearly double the recommended amount of time.
Physicians have reported instances where patients requiring urgent medical attention were delayed for up to twenty-four hours in A&E, while patients who were comparatively in good health were seen more quickly to meet the four-hour target.
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Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey stated, “We learned this week that in A&E last year, more than 150,000 patients waited for more than twenty-four hours. Three thirty-seven thousand people have been added to waiting lists since Rishi Sunak promised to reduce them.
“Adding insult to injury, the Conservatives have reduced funding for the National Health Service while millions of patients endure excruciating pain on endless waiting lists.”
“If Rishi Sunak believes about the recovery of our National Health Service, he is operating in a parallel universe.”
The prime minister and the Conservative Party are disconnected, devoid of innovation, and merit removal from office.
