Politics

More than 250,000 patients waiting four-and-a-half months to see specialists


Over a quarter of a million more patients are now waiting for longer than four and a half months for specialist NHS treatment.

That is almost double the 277,000 who had to wait beyond 18 weeks eight years ago.

New figures unearthed by Labour show that 263,000 extra patients are being left untreated as the Government misses more than 90 per cent of its targets.

They include nearly 12,000 more patients languishing on waiting lists before being seen by consultants for Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease and epilepsy – a 205 per cent rise.

Jonathan Ashworth says the figures are shocking

 

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “These are shocking figures.

“Behind every statistic is an anxious patient waiting longer in pain and risking their health deteriorating further.”

The biggest 206 per cent rise has been in dermatology referrals, which include eczema treatment and wart and verruca removal.There has been a 188 per cent increase in over-18 week waits for rheumatology treatment, which means arthritis, spinal pain and osteoporosis sufferers left in agony.

Ear, nose and throat waits are up 164 per cent – that’s 27,670 more patients not getting their hearing loss, laryngitis and chronic tonsillitis treated.

Under current NHS waiting lists, arthritis, spinal pain and osteoporosis sufferers are left in agony

 

Over-18 week waits in gynaecology cases have gone up from 14,400 to 31,700 and heart problems 9,300 to 20,500 – both rises of 120 per cent.

Labour Leicester MP Mr Ashworth said Health Secretary and Tory PM contender Matt Hancock should get a grip.

He added: “Rather than play leadership games he should focus on the day job.”

The total number of patients stuck on NHS waiting lists increased by 1.7 million to 4.1 million between February 2011 and the same month this year.

NHS England is now reviewing proposals to abandon both four-hour emergency and 18-week standards.

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