The figure comes from a poll of health trust leaders for NHS providers as waiting lists in England continue to reach record levels and cancer targets are routinely missed. Some 48% of trust leaders rated the quality of healthcare provided by their area as very high or high, while just 30% predicted it would reach that level in two years. Almost half (46%) strongly agreed or agreed that they were on track to meet their optional recovery and cancer targets by the end of the financial year. And a further 27% neither agreed nor disagreed, while a quarter (24%) disagreed or strongly disagreed that they could achieve the targets put in place after the pandemic. Saffron Cordery, the agency’s interim chief executive, said: “Alarm bells should be ringing across Whitehall with warnings from our trust leaders that less than half now expect to meet key recovery and cancer targets at the end of the year ». Just 61.7% of people receive cancer treatment within 62 days of an emergency cancer referral, compared to 77.2% before the COVID-19 pandemic. In February, NHS England said the number would return to pre-pandemic levels by March next year. Winter is naturally a more difficult time for the NHS, as more people need hospital care for respiratory conditions or problems made worse by cold and viruses. Read more: NHS England sets up ‘war rooms’ to prepare for ‘toughest winter on record’ Some models suggest respiratory infections could take up to half of UK hospital beds in coming months However, many trust leaders told the survey that staff shortages, burnout, retention and absenteeism were a major concern. There are also ongoing problems with ambulances queuing outside hospitals due to bed shortages caused at least in part by issues that have led to medically fit patients being released into the community. Ms Cordery said: “We cannot fix the serious side effects caused by hospitals failing to discharge thousands of patients who are well enough to recover at home or closer to home – which in turn adversely affects early hospital admissions, including A&E; and handing over patients from waiting ambulances – without addressing the long-term challenges facing the social care sector.’ At the same time, a report from the Institute for Budgetary Studies said NHS spending was, in real terms, 12% above 2019 levels, yet the health service was taking fewer people off waiting lists. Subscribe to the Daily podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker Max Warner, author of the report, said: “If either the NHS continues to fail to translate additional resources into additional activity, or the numbers joining waiting lists return to something like expected numbers, then waiting lists and the associated costs from in terms of ill health and delayed treatment, will continue to rise for some time to come.” An NHS spokeswoman said: “Despite concerns about what is likely to be a very difficult winter, the NHS is currently on track to meet the next recovery milestones. “The NHS has already virtually eliminated two-year waits for care and waits of more than 18 months have already fallen by 60% since last September.” He said there was “no doubt the NHS is under significant pressure” but said it was “preparing extensively and already has plans in place to manage the additional demand, including 24/7 control rooms, falls services and recruiting more call operators ».
