NHS chiefs fear collision course with ministers over Covid backlog

[Northerner]

Hospital bosses are bracing themselves for a clash with ministers over how quickly they can clear the backlog of NHS care that built up during the pandemic.

They are warning that it will take “years” to treat all those whose care was cancelled because Covid disrupted so many hospital services, particularly surgery and diagnostic tests.

Staff shortages, exhaustion among frontline personnel after tackling the pandemic and their need to have a break mean that progress will be slower than the government expects, NHS trust chiefs say.

“We can’t say with certainty how long it will take to tackle the backlog of planned operations because we don’t really know how big that backlog will end up being,” said Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers.

“The NHS will obviously go as fast as it can, as we always do. But it’s already apparent that clearing the entire backlog will take years rather than months.”.

NHS chiefs fear collision course with ministers over Covid backlog

Hospital bosses warn rescheduling cancelled surgery and tests due to pandemic will take years

www.theguardian.com

 

[trophywench]

Well I was gobsmacked to learn how truly awful the hospital response to GP referrals of suspected cancer has been for about 5 years by now in Birmingham. Only approx 35% of patients get to see the hospital specialist within the 2 week timeslot whereas in Coventry it's about 95%.

 

[mikeyB]

But how many are seen in, say, a three week time slot in Birmingham? Doesn’t matter where your cancer is, a week won’t make any difference.

 

[trophywench]

Oh well Mike, they don't tell you things like that! (you know they don't, it would weaken the impact of the headline and they aren't in that business - you'll be expecting them to tell us the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth next!! )