NHS waiting list levels 'frightening', Pharmacists warn

Pharmacists across England are sounding alarm over NHS waiting list levels and have described as "frightening" in a response to a new report by the Nuffield Trust.

The new report highlights the slow recovery of waiting times for major surgeries in England compared to other high-income countries since the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Nuffield Trust's analysis indicates that waiting times for hip and knee replacements in England have increased more significantly and remained high into 2023, in stark contrast to countries like Spain and Finland.

Average waiting times for hip replacements in England surged from approximately 87 days before 2020 to 180 days during the pandemic, and have only reduced to around 128 days over the past three years—still nearly 50 per cent longer than pre-pandemic levels.

Knee replacements saw similar delays, with average waiting times rising from about 91 days to 209 days in 2020 and remaining around 142 days since then.

In comparison, other countries have managed to recover more swiftly. For instance, Spain and Finland saw little change in waiting times for hip replacements post-2020, while Norway and Sweden experienced increases but to a lesser degree than England.

The situation is similar for knee replacements, where several countries have returned to or improved on their pre-pandemic waiting times.

Interestingly, England has performed better in reducing waiting times for cataract surgeries.

These procedures, which typically do not require overnight stays or extensive rehabilitation, have seen waiting times improve quicker than in many other countries.

Sarah Reed, Senior Fellow at the Nuffield Trust, commented, "Health systems worldwide are still grappling with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"However, it's striking that England's recovery pace for major surgeries like hip and knee replacements has been much slower.

"For some minor procedures, we've improved more quickly than nearly everywhere else.

"This raises important questions for the new government on addressing the elective backlog and improving system-wide efficiency."

Paul Rees, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, reacted to the report's findings, emphasising the need for a fundamental rethink of NHS operations.

"The Nuffield Trust’s conclusions are frightening and point to the need for a fundamental rethink about how the NHS operates to cut waiting lists.

Rees advocated for increased funding and radical reform to achieve the best outcomes for patients and reduce waiting times across the health service.