Tackling NHS Trust Waiting Lists: Is There a Viable Solution?

• Richard Tuson
• /
• 17 Jul 2018

The Escalating Challenge of NHS Waiting Lists

The NHS's latest release of 18-week performance figures reveals a continued upward trend in waiting lists, now exceeding 4 million patients. This marks a 4.4% increase since March 2018 and a 6.1% increase from the previous year. Understanding and addressing this burgeoning issue is vital for any NHS trust.

Historical Context of NHS Waiting Lists

Five years ago, the waiting list stood at 2.75 million, indicating a significant 46% increase to the present day. Despite a 10% increase in surgical interventions, this dramatic rise in waiting lists demands a closer examination.

Exploring Contributing Factors

The increase in waiting lists can't solely be attributed to the number of treatments. We need to consider other elements that might impact throughput in healthcare, akin to a production line. These include the number of theatres and recovery beds, staffing levels, variations in demand (like winter pressures), and the use of medical technology and pharmaceuticals.

Analyzing the Impact on the 'Healthcare Production Line'

There has been a noticeable reduction in night beds (4.9% decrease) and a modest increase in theatres (2%). With higher bed occupancy rates and shifts in treatment patterns towards day-case procedures, the capacity to treat patients from the growing waiting list is affected.

The Future: Outpatient and Ambulatory Solutions

Could technology shift patients away from theatres, reducing the need for beds? The future might see more treatments delivered in outpatient or ambulatory settings. This raises questions about tariffs and the coverage of new technology costs in hospital payments.

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