NHS Waiting Lists Surge as Election Battle Heats Up: Sunak Faces Backlash Amid Rising Concerns

NHS waiting times in England increase for the first time in seven months, turning into a central topic for the upcoming general election

The delays in receiving medical care have emerged as a significant issue, with Rishi Sunak conceding that his administration has not achieved the desired improvements.

Political correspondent Alix Culbertson

Thursday, June 13, 2024, 3:

The figures revealed that, for the first time in seven months, there has been an increase in the number of individuals in England waiting for regular hospital care.

According to data from NHS England, approximately 6.33 million individuals were on the waiting list for 7.57 million procedures as of the end of April.

As of the end of March, there were 6.29 million patients and 7.54 million treatments administered.

Hospital queue lengths are now a major point of discussion in the national election debates.

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In January 2023, Rishi Sunak pledged to address the issue of the 7.21 million treatments that had accumulated.

During the "Battle For Number 10" program on Sky News Wednesday evening, Rishi Sunak asserted that NHS waiting lists are "on the decline."

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However, he acknowledged, "I had hoped we'd be further along in reducing the queues."

The crowd, consisting of a diverse group of voters, jeered him after he mentioned that strikes by junior doctors were affecting wait times.

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In September 2023, the number of people on the waiting list reached an unprecedented peak, with 6.5 million individuals awaiting 7.77 million procedures.

Sir Keir Starmer has promised to tackle waiting lists by introducing 40,000 additional appointments each week, should Labour come to power.

Tim Gardner, the deputy policy director at The Health Foundation, a thinktank, stated: "As both the Labour and Conservative parties commit to major enhancements in NHS wait times, the current statistics serve as a vivid illustration of the enormous tasks that await the incoming administration."

He noted that despite "some progress" being made recently, "a significant challenge still remains."

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Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Daisy Cooper demanded that Mr. Sunak issue an apology to the public for his inability to reduce NHS waiting lists, rather than avoiding accountability.

"She added that the prime minister being jeered by the crowd last night due to escalating waiting times highlights the public's frustration with his unsuccessful tenure."

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated, "This completely undermines Rishi Sunak's assertion that the NHS is on the mend."

He stated that the Prime Minister "cannot hold NHS staff responsible… the fault rests entirely with the Conservatives."

The latest figures from England also show:

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