Encouraging signs that the NHS is ‘on the up’

Responding to new analysis from the Health Foundation pointing to progress in bringing down elective waiting times, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Daniel Elkeles, said:

“These findings, alongside the improving productivity figures announced this week, show the NHS is on the up.

“The health service is making real progress on the 18-week waiting-time commitment.

“Given the rise in referrals and the other pressures trusts face that is no mean achievement.

“It’s encouraging to see how steps to bear down on waiting lists, including more community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs, are shifting the dial for patients.

“But it’s a huge task, and too soon to say if the target for this parliament will be met.

“And while the NHS pushes hard on this priority, it underlines the need to make headway on the bigger goals set out in the 10-year health plan, to shift more care out of hospitals and do more on prevention rather than treatment.”