Operation waiting list shrinks by over 90,000 in the Midlands
Patients in the Midlands are experiencing reduced waiting times for operations as NHS hospitals in the region
Patients in the Midlands are experiencing reduced waiting times for operations as NHS hospitals in the region have made significant strides in decreasing waiting lists over the past year.
The Government set a national target for 65 per cent of patients to be seen within 18 weeks for elective treatment by March this year.
Despite facing challenges such as postponed elective appointments due to industrial action, the NHS managed to meet this national goal.
H2 The Midlands leads the way in reducing waiting times
In the past year, the number of patients waiting for treatment in the Midlands has decreased by 6.5 per cent compared to 4.2 per cent nationally.
Out of the over 312,000 patients removed from the national waiting list, more than 90,000 were in the Midlands, accounting for 28 per cent of the national total and representing the largest reduction in any region.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the most improved acute providers in the country, reducing its waiting list by over 7,000 patients.
Similarly, University Hospital Birmingham has achieved a decrease of more than 18,000.
H2 Leadership praise for NHS staff
Dr Jess Sokolov, Regional Medical Director for NHS England in the Midlands, praised the efforts and commitment of NHS staff in the region.
“Staff working across the NHS have pulled out all the stops to help people who have often been waiting too long for lifechanging treatment.
“Delays to planned procedures have a massive human cost in terms of the growing loss of independence or risk of accidents as a patient’s health deteriorates.
“That’s why we want more people to be seen within the 18-week time frame and return to their best health as soon as possible.
“I want to thank everyone working in local health services for their commitment to improving standards while carrying out more tests, checks and elective appointments than any other year.”