Referral-to-Treatment Waiting Lists 2020-06-23
2020-06-23
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The recent reduction in NHS waiting lists due to fewer referrals during the pandemic raises concerns about future treatment availability.
What assessment has been made of trends in referral-to-treatment waiting lists? The Government contracted private health providers for 8,000 bed spaces but significant capacity was underused. How can we ensure money is not wasted again and that patients receive necessary treatments?
I do not think contracting to ensure sufficient capacity in our NHS at all times, so that it was never overwhelmed, which it has not been, was a waste of money. We continue to work with the independent sector and the broader NHS to get elective surgery and other non-emergency procedures restarted at pace.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy