Nuffield Trust responds to latest NHS performance statistics

“Today’s figures offer fresh insight into just how pressured things are in the health service as it braces itself for another tough winter. 

“The next few months look to be particularly demanding in urgent care as familiar winter pressures rear their head again. Last month just 73% of patients spent four hours or less in A&E, against a target of 95% that has not been met for the best part of a decade. Around 50,000 people waited longer than 12 hours.  

“Cases of respiratory infections in children are on the rise and, with these often foreshadowing outbreaks among elderly and vulnerable patients, it is only a matter of time before these hit NHS services. 
 
“Things look marginally more positive when it comes to planned waits for hospital care. The overall waiting list was down in September, with 6.34 million patients waiting compared to 6.42 million the previous month. But this is still eye-wateringly high and the NHS has a long journey ahead to meet the government’s pledge to cut the time from referral to treatment to 18 weeks or less. 

“Good progress has been made in reducing the numbers of people waiting over 65 weeks, with the numbers waiting this long having halved since August. Nonetheless the ambition of the previous government was that these extremely long waits should be eliminated by now. The big question is whether the glimmers of hope seen in today’s elective figures will be sustained across the winter. 

“Yesterday the Secretary of State laid down the gauntlet to the NHS to ensure patients see real improvements in the quality of healthcare. But with systemic issues like crumbling buildings, profound problems in the social care sector and continued pressure on community and primary care, today’s figures underline once more just how far the health service has to go to really turn things around and offer the quick access to care that patients need and deserve.”