NHS Confederation responds to the Public Accounts Committee report

Responding to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on managing NHS backlogs and waiting times,  Matthew Taylor chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“The NHS is paying the price for the longest financial squeeze in its history and a decade of austerity leaving it to grapple 133,000 staff vacancies, a shortage of key equipment, and much of its estate and infrastructure in ill-repair. All of this, alongside the pandemic, have contributed to lengthening waiting lists but the NHS is working hard to reduce these, having already virtually eliminated the two-year elective care backlog.

“NHS leaders are doing all they can to keep patient appointments on track in the face of a continuing wave of industrial action and there are signs that winter pressures are reducing, with cases of flu and A&E admissions going down. Also, thanks to the incredible work of healthcare staff, ambulance response times, hospital handover delays and diagnostic waits are all improving despite huge gaps in the workforce.

“There is no denying that the NHS is going through an extremely tough period and it is in the government’s hands to set out details on its long overdue workforce plan, to reach level ground with the trade unions, and ensure that its Spring Statement delivers both for the NHS and the communities it serves.”