Patient backlog in hospitals 'could take five years to clear'

18 April 2021, 15:55

A "huge" backlog of patients in hospitals caused by Covid-19 could take up to five years to clear
A "huge" backlog of patients in hospitals caused by Covid-19 could take up to five years to clear. Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

A "huge" backlog of patients in hospitals caused by Covid-19 could take up to five years to clear, NHS Providers has said.

The organisation, which represents every NHS hospital, and mental health, community and ambulance service in England, said tackling the problem in the worst affected areas could take three to five years.

According to recent data from NHS England, 4.7 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of February - the highest figure since records began in August 2007.

The number waiting more than 52 weeks to start hospital treatment was 387,885 - the highest for any calendar month since December 2007.

In February last year, the number having to wait more than 52 weeks was 1,613.

NHS Providers has called for a "bold transformative approach" with additional funding from the Government to clear the backlog in a reasonable period of time.

READ MORE: Thousand of fans to be welcomed back to live sport in lockdown easing test case

READ MORE: 'For now we are okay' with India not on 'red list', minister tells LBC

Maajid Nawaz on the apprehension around Indian travel ban

Chief executive Chris Hopson said: "Early work by trust leaders shows there is a huge backlog to clear.

"Trust leaders are going as fast as they can in tackling the most urgent cancer, surgery and other cases. They are only too aware of the impact of delays.

"The scale of the backlog ahead is very worrying.

"Some chief executives are adamant we must avoid returning to the situation in the early 2000s, when the NHS had far too many people waiting for years, not months, on waiting lists.

"What's needed now is a team approach - the NHS transforming how it provides care and the Government providing the extra funding required to enable that transformation.

"We need to work together over the next few months to create a joint plan to deliver for patients and service users to be announced in the multi-year spending review we are expecting at the end of the year."

READ MORE: Hospitality bosses urge PM to commit to roadmap indoor reopening dates

READ MORE: Boris Johnson risks losing 'red wall' of election seats over lobbying 'shame'

Vaccine passports will be requirement in future

Mr Hopson added the issue is not just about elective and cancer backlogs in acute hospitals, but also patients and service users waiting for mental health and community services.

The organisation said the changes needed include an increase in workforce capacity, investment in a new network of community diagnostic hubs and new ways of treating patients.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "Our NHS has faced significant challenges over the past year and we continue to support our incredible health and care staff who have kept services open this winter for thousands of patients.

"We are backing our NHS with an extra £7 billion for health and care services this year, bringing our total additional Covid-19 investment to £92 billion.

"This includes £1 billion to support NHS recovery by tackling waiting lists and providing up to one million extra checks, scans and additional operations."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Motley Crue's Vince Neil

Pilot dies as Motley Crue frontman's jet crashes into plane at Arizona airport

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has called for more British apprenticeships

UK must become 'less dependent' on foreign workers by training more British apprentices, minister warns LBC

Labour has deported nearly 19,000 people since coming to power

Inside Labour's deportation flights, as 19,000 illegal migrants removed from UK since July election

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

'No exceptions, no exemptions': Trump brings in 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium as UK dragged into trade war

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

'All hell will break out': Trump says Gaza ceasefire 'should be axed' if Hamas doesn't free all hostages on Saturday

Kim Leadbeater after the bill passed its first reading in November

Assisted dying cases could go ahead without judge's approval

Kanye West

Kanye West slammed for Super Bowl advert directing viewers to site selling swastika t-shirts

Matar is accused of trying to murder Salman Rushdie

Man accused of trying to murder Salman Rushdie says 'Free Palestine' as he is led into court

Legendary strongman Geoff Capes left nearly £240,000 in his will

Legendary strongman and Olympian Geoff Capes leaves £240k in will following death aged 75

The scene in Coulter Road, Hammersmith, west London, following the death of a woman in a flat

Woman, 36, found dead after man seen trying to force his way into flat in west London

Quinn Parker

'Inhumane' NHS trust admits maternity failings as three babies die within months of each other

The Aesculapian snake can grow up to two metres in length

Europe's biggest snake 'thriving' in UK and living in people's attics, study finds

The Aurora Borealis, Or Northern Lights, Visible From Large Swath Of North America

Northern Lights to be visible across parts of UK tonight

Zhenhao Zou is accused of rape

Woman among 10 allegedly raped by Chinese PhD student in London left “angry and ashamed” after attack, court told

London, UK. 28th January, 2025. Attorney General Richard Hermer arrives in Downing Street to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting. Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Alamy Live News

Labour spat as peer brands attorney general Lord Hermer 'arrogant, progressive fool' and calls for him to quit

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Soldier, 19, complained of 'unwelcome behaviour' from 'psychotic and possessive' boss before taking her own life