Ambulances respond faster as strike-hit NHS treats thousands more

Latest NHS England figures show:

•    Better ambulance response times despite high demand
•    More care provided during strike compared to a previous 5-day walkout by some doctors
•    Improved A&E waiting times despite busiest July on record and strike 
•    Record June for number of treatments, cancer checks and other tests done
•    Lowest proportion of cases waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment since June 2022

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

"The numbers of ambulances on emergency callouts getting to people more quickly despite high demand are very good to see.

"NHS trust leaders and staff right across the NHS – in hospital, community, mental health and ambulance services - continue to work flat out to see patients as quickly as possible in the face of growing demand, extreme pressure and challenges.

"It’s great to see more NHS activity including more patients seen for treatments, cancer checks and tests, improvements in urgent and emergency care - in the face of record numbers of people going to A&E - and many fewer cases waiting longer than 18 weeks. 

"Despite a five-day strike in July by some doctors the NHS provided an estimated 11,000 more appointments and procedures compared to during their five-day walkout in July last year. We hope that talks between the union and the government bear fruit and that any more disruptive strikes can be avoided. NHS trust leaders want to focus on improving services for patients and doing everything they can to improve things for valued resident doctors."