Elective Care Waiting Times 2023-07-11
2023-07-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The waiting list for elective care has risen to over 7 million people, with many patients waiting beyond the NHS Constitution's 18-week standard.
What recent progress has been made on reducing the number of patients waiting more than 18 months for elective care? The waiting list for elective care is above 7 million people, and constituents are waiting over a year for surgeries like hysterectomies and hip replacements. This exceeds the NHS Constitution's standard.
The elective recovery plan sets out clear steps to eliminate long waits, supported by £8 billion of revenue funding and £5.9 billion in capital over three years.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the specific ask regarding measures to reduce wait times below 18 months.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The waiting list for elective care has increased to over 7 million people, with constituents experiencing delays of months or years for necessary operations.
The waiting list for elective care is at 7 million, and two constituents are struggling: one cannot work due to waiting for an orthopaedic assessment, while another waits three years for a prostate operation. Both have sought emergency care during their wait. Is it true that the longer the Conservatives stay in power, the longer patients will wait?
The average waits in Wales as of April are 20.4 weeks compared to 13.8 weeks in England, contrary to the claim made. We are boosting diagnostic capacity through 111 community diagnostic centres and increasing treatment capacity via surgical hubs. Patients have more choice in England than in Wales under Labour.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address whether patient wait times are worsening; instead, it compared wait times with another country's system.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Constituents are waiting over a year for elective surgeries such as hysterectomies and hip replacements, exceeding the NHS Constitution's 18-week standard.
One constituent waits 14 months for a hysterectomy, another waited years for a hip replacement. This exceeds the 18-week standard set out by the NHS Constitution. What is being done to get wait times down to that mark?
We recognise pandemic challenges and are boosting capacity through community diagnostic centres, delivering over 4 million extra tests and scans with a target of 160 centres. 111 are already operational.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify how wait times will be reduced to the 18-week standard.
Response accuracy