Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

NHS waiting list levels 'frightening', Pharmacists warn

NHS waiting list levels 'frightening', Pharmacists warn
Pharmacists are react to a new Nuffield Trust report that reveals significantly slower recovery times for major surgeries compared to other high-income countries post-Covid-19

Pharmacists across England are sounding alarm over NHS waiting list levels and have described as "frightening" in a response to a new report by the Nuffield Trust.

The new report highlights the slow recovery of waiting times for major surgeries in England compared to other high-income countries since the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.


The Nuffield Trust's analysis indicates that waiting times for hip and knee replacements in England have increased more significantly and remained high into 2023, in stark contrast to countries like Spain and Finland.

Average waiting times for hip replacements in England surged from approximately 87 days before 2020 to 180 days during the pandemic, and have only reduced to around 128 days over the past three years—still nearly 50 per cent longer than pre-pandemic levels.

Knee replacements saw similar delays, with average waiting times rising from about 91 days to 209 days in 2020 and remaining around 142 days since then.

In comparison, other countries have managed to recover more swiftly. For instance, Spain and Finland saw little change in waiting times for hip replacements post-2020, while Norway and Sweden experienced increases but to a lesser degree than England.

The situation is similar for knee replacements, where several countries have returned to or improved on their pre-pandemic waiting times.

Interestingly, England has performed better in reducing waiting times for cataract surgeries.

These procedures, which typically do not require overnight stays or extensive rehabilitation, have seen waiting times improve quicker than in many other countries.

Sarah Reed, Senior Fellow at the Nuffield Trust, commented, "Health systems worldwide are still grappling with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"However, it's striking that England's recovery pace for major surgeries like hip and knee replacements has been much slower.

"For some minor procedures, we've improved more quickly than nearly everywhere else.

"This raises important questions for the new government on addressing the elective backlog and improving system-wide efficiency."

Paul Rees, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, reacted to the report's findings, emphasising the need for a fundamental rethink of NHS operations.

"The Nuffield Trust’s conclusions are frightening and point to the need for a fundamental rethink about how the NHS operates to cut waiting lists.

"At a time when GP waiting times and hospital waiting times are causing deep distress to patients we need to think radically about shifting resources to maximise the capacity of every part of the health system.
“That means maximising the work of pharmacies to take the pressure away from GPs and hospitals over the management of long-term conditions like hypertension and minor ailments, and moving treatment and monitoring to GP surgeries to hospitals can concentrate on clearing the backlogs for secondary care.

Rees advocated for increased funding and radical reform to achieve the best outcomes for patients and reduce waiting times across the health service.

More For You

AAH Pharmaceuticals introduces 20 new electric vans to its delivery fleet

18 vans have been added to the AAH DC in Ruislip, and another 2 to their branch in Glasgow

Photo credit: AAH

AAH Pharmaceuticals adds 20 new electric vans to reduce carbon emissions

Leading pharmaceutical wholesaler AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd has introduced 20 new electric vans to its delivery fleet, marking a significant step forward in its Carbon Reduction Plan, which is aligned to the NHS net zero targets.

Eighteen of the new electric vehicles have been deployed at the AAH distribution centre in Ruislip, with the remaining two now in operation at its Glasgow branch.

Keep ReadingShow less
Numark launches new digital consultation platform to support independent prescribers

Harry McQuillan, Chairman of Numark

Numark launches DigiPharma to empower independent prescribers

Numark has launched a new digital consultation platform, called DigiPharma, designed to support both current and future independent prescribers (IPs) in making full use of their qualifications.

The revolutionary cloud-based prescribing recording platform is now available exclusively to Numark members.

Keep ReadingShow less
Operation Subaru:

Some of the medicines seized in raids today. Credit: MHRA

12 arrested in MHRA’s biggest medicines trafficking crackdown

Twelve people have been arrested in a series of dawn raids across the West Midlands and the Northwest of England today (29 April), as part of the biggest criminal investigation ever undertaken by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) into organised medicines trafficking.

The suspects were detained on suspicion of involvement in organised crime, conspiracy to sell or supply controlled and unlicensed medicines, and money laundering.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sukhi Basra named NPA vice-chair in historic leadership update with Olivier Picard as new chair

Olivier Picard steps up as NPA chair, Basra as vice-chair

Olivier Picard named new NPA chair

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has announced Olivier Picard as the organisation’s new chair.

Picard replaces Nick Kaye whose term comes to an end this week.

Keep ReadingShow less
 RPS honours Professor Tony Avery OBE for excellence in prescribing safety and patient care

Professor Tony Avery OBE

Pic credit: RPS

Professor Tony Avery OBE awarded RPS Honorary Fellowship

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Assembly has awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Professor Tony Avery OBE in recognition of his outstanding contribution to prescribing safety and patient care.

The Honorary Fellowship is given to those who are not eligible for membership of the Society but have either attained a distinction in a particular aspect or aspects of pharmacy, made a distinctive contribution to pharmacy or the RPS, distinguished themselves in any branches of knowledge referred to in the objects of the Society or achieved eminence in public life.

Keep ReadingShow less