Investigation launched into rising hospital waiting list of 7.6 million by new health secretary

In response to concerning new figures revealing growing waits for routine care and ambulances in the NHS, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has initiated a comprehensive review of NHS performance. The independent investigation, led by Professor Lord Darzi, aims to uncover the hard truths about the current state of the health service. The findings, expected in September, will inform the government's ten-year plan to radically reform the NHS and ensure its future readiness. As of the end of May, an estimated 6.38 million patients were waiting for 7.60 million treatments, indicating a rise from the previous month. Streeting emphasized the need for a raw and honest assessment of the NHS, acknowledging the challenges faced and the importance of restoring quality care as a priority. Despite some improvements, such as a decrease in A&E wait times, there are still significant issues to address, including patients waiting over 12 hours for admission. The investigation comes as part of efforts to address the growing waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England, which has seen a consecutive increase in recent months. Streeting highlighted the need for transparency and accountability, stating that the report will provide a candid evaluation of the NHS, highlighting areas for improvement. The government aims to work closely with experts and NHS staff to develop plans to tackle the challenges identified in the analysis. While there have been some positive developments, such as a reduction in the number of patients waiting over 18 months for treatment, there are still areas of concern, including patients waiting over 65 weeks for care. The focus is on building an NHS that is resilient and responsive to the needs of patients, with the forthcoming report serving as a crucial step towards achieving this goal.