Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Elective Care Waiting Times

Tuesday 11 July 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The elective recovery plan aims to reduce long waits with 8 billion in revenue funding and 5.9 billion in capital funding over three years.
  • The average waiting time for elective care in Wales is 20.4 weeks, compared to 13.8 weeks in England.
  • Over 4 million extra tests and scans have been delivered through 111 community diagnostic centres, with a target of 160 centres operational.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
NHS
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Steve Barclay

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific ask regarding measures to reduce wait times below 18 months.

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Q2 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
NHS
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Steve Barclay

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.

Not addressed: The answer did not address whether patient wait times are worsening; instead, it compared wait times with another country's system.

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Q3 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
NHS
Context

Constituents are waiting over a year for elective surgeries such as hysterectomies and hip replacements, exceeding the NHS Constitution's 18-week standard.

Question

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?

Answer from Steve Barclay

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify how wait times will be reduced to the 18-week standard.

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