Trusts are shifting the dial on waiting lists in face of relentless demand

Responding to the latest monthly NHS performance figures, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Daniel Elkeles, said:

“The pressure on the health service is relentless but there are signs in some key areas that the NHS is shifting the dial on performance.

“It’s good to see the waiting list for planned routine care dipping down again.

“Great credit to trust leaders and frontline staff who are helping that to happen. They’ll be working flat out to bring those figures down further and faster, which we’ll need to see in the months ahead.

“The step-up we’re seeing in activity is encouraging – with more appointments, tests and checks.

“Emergency services are also extremely busy.

“Average response times for category 2 ambulance calls, including suspected heart attacks and strokes, were under 30 minutes for the third consecutive month.

“Performance in A&E is improving despite very high attendances but 12-hour waits in particular remain stubbornly high.

“It’s also a concern to see the waiting list for community services at record levels, with a worrying trend in rising long waits for children and young people, and very high demand for mental health services.

“These figures show there’s no respite for the NHS as we head into summer but there is a real determination to drive down delays.”