As the NHS continues to make progress in reducing waiting lists, a new strategy aims to incentivize trusts to prioritize patients in urgent need of treatment over those who may not require elective care. With unlimited payments for each patient removed, hospitals are under pressure to free up resources and alleviate delays.
NHS Waiting Lists: A Growing Concern for Patients in Need
The waiting list for hospital treatment in England has been decreasing for the sixth month in a row, according to recent data. However, despite this progress, thousands of patients are still facing unacceptable delays in receiving vital treatment.
The Pressure on NHS Trusts
To alleviate the pressure on consultants and free up resources for those most in need, NHS trusts have been ordered to ‘validate’ their entire waiting list. This process involves reviewing every patient and removing anyone who could be treated elsewhere or does not require an appointment with a specialist. Those whose symptoms have eased or who have already used private healthcare to undergo surgery will also be removed.
Hospitals will receive unlimited ‘incentive payments‘ for each patient they remove, with no payment cap on the amounts NHS trusts can receive. This strategy aims to incentivize trusts to prioritize patients in urgent need of treatment over those who may not require elective care or treatment.
The UK government introduced performance-based funding to incentivize NHS trusts to improve patient care and reduce costs.
This approach rewards high-performing trusts with additional funding, while low-performing ones face financial penalties.
Research shows that this strategy has led to improved outcomes in areas like cancer treatment and patient satisfaction.
However, critics argue that the system can be unpredictable and may not accurately reflect a trust's underlying performance.
The Impact on Cancer Patients
Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to delays in receiving vital treatment. According to recent data, 80.2% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had it ruled out within 28 days in February, a significant improvement from the previous month. However, this still leaves many patients facing unacceptable waits.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were over 19 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2020.
Cancer patients often face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than one-third of adults in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.
Providing support for cancer patients includes access to quality healthcare, counseling services, and financial assistance programs.
The government and NHS England have set a target of March 2026 to reduce the proportion of patients who wait no longer than 62 days from an urgent suspected cancer referral to their first definitive treatment for cancer to 75%. Despite progress in diagnosing patients sooner, charities are warning that patients continue to suffer devastating delays due to denied or delayed access to life-saving treatment.
Emergency Department Woes
Emergency departments are also struggling with long waits. In March, 133,957 patients waited at least four hours from the decision to admit to admission, a slight increase from February. This rise in corridor care – where patients wait for several hours before being seen by a doctor – has been described as a ‘national scandal’ by experts.
The Society for Acute Medicine has reported a significant increase in 12-hour waits, with 46,766 patients experiencing this type of care in March. The organization is urging the government to take action to address these delays and protect vulnerable patients who are facing the dangers and indignity of prolonged hospital stays.
The Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) is a UK-based organization that aims to improve the care and management of acutely ill medical patients.
Founded in 1998, SAM has grown to become a leading voice in acute medicine, with over 2,000 members across the UK.
The society provides education, training, and resources for healthcare professionals working in emergency departments, general practice, and other acute care settings.
SAM also promotes research and innovation in acute medicine, with a focus on improving patient outcomes and reducing morbidity.
