By Pandemic pushes hospital waits to record high
The number of people experiencing long hospital waits has reached a record high, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
In December 2020, approximately 224,000 people were recorded as having waited over 12 months for hospital treatment.
The figure compares with just 1,467 in December 2019 – it is the highest for any calendar month since April 2008.
This comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock announce a plan to implement changes to how the NHS is run.
The Health Secretary is due to present a proposal for a “more integrated, more innovative and responsive” health service, according to a report by the BBC.
“Now is exactly the right time because these measures that we’re proposing… are all about making it easier for the NHS and the wider health and care system, including social care, to work together in an integrated way,” he added.
The timing of the move has been questioned by many, including the British Medical Association, who say that NHS staff are already exhausted.
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth also disagreed, telling the House of Commons:
“We are in the middle of the biggest public health crisis our NHS has ever faced, staff on the frontline are exhausted, [and] underpaid.
“The Royal College of Nurses says the NHS is on its knees.”
Mr Hancock says the proposals will need “time for consideration” which is why it is important to get on with the changes.
