Tackling accelerating waiting lists: letter to the Secretary of State
As waiting lists accelerate due to COVID-19, this letter highlights how the health secretary can unlock a ‘summer of opportunity’ for the NHS.
Our members identify five key solutions to increase capacity and reduce the elective backlog:
1. Provide additional access to capital funding and continued block payments to make the changes needed in time for summer.
2. Invest in staff capacity to allow electives to increase.
3. Review of Infection, Prevention and Control guidance to safely increase patient numbers.
4. Maintain 'right touch' regulation.
5. Continue and intensify the focus on health inequalities.
