Covid-19 Backlog Elective Care 2023-01-24
2023-01-24
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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The MP is concerned about progress made on reducing the backlog of elective treatments caused by the pandemic.
What recent progress has been made on tackling the covid-19 backlog in elective care? The NHS has virtually eliminated two-year waits, but efforts continue to tackle waits over 18 months. Patients are looking forward to new NHS community diagnostic centres and innovations like day-case treatments.
Since the publication of the elective recovery delivery plan, the NHS has virtually eliminated two-year waits for treatments. NHS England recently wrote to providers mandating action on 18-month waits, with appointments scheduled as soon as possible.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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The MP highlights a new NHS community diagnostic centre and improvements at Royal Free Hospital.
How will the Minister ensure that such innovation is spread across the NHS? The people of Peterborough are looking forward to their new NHS community diagnostic centre. Many cases previously treated as elective overnight stays are now treated as day cases, improving patient experience and increasing capacity.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this issue. We agree that such innovations including community diagnostic centres, surgical hubs, telemedicine, and using spare capacity in the private sector are helping us tackle the longest waits and reduce covid backlogs.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The MP is concerned about the waiting list at Barnsley Hospital, which has almost 20,000 people waiting for treatment.
How does the Government expect that hospital to solve the treatment backlog when it simply does not have the resources? The hospital's beds are nearly fully occupied. What plans are there?
We are increasing capacity by introducing an additional 7,000 beds and a £500-million discharge fund. An extra £250 million was announced in January. We are engaging with patients on choice and working with the most challenged trusts.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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The MP is concerned about older people being stuck in hospitals due to lack of social care, leading to long waits for NHS treatment.
Ministers will never deal with the record waits for NHS treatment until they stop older people being stuck in hospital because they cannot get decent social care in the community or at home. More than half a million people now require social care but have not even had their needs assessed or reviewed. Where is the Government's plan to address this?
We are creating 7,000 additional general and acute beds. We are investing £500 million in adult social care specifically for discharge, which goes up to £600 million next year and £1 billion the year after. The Chancellor announced £7.5 billion in the autumn statement for social care.
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