Nuffield Trust response to latest NHS performance statistics

Responding to NHS England's latest performance statistics Nuffield Trust Deputy Director of Research Sarah Scobie said:

“Many parts of the NHS are still experiencing intense pressure. With A&E attendances already at a worryingly high level in September, it is difficult to be optimistic about this winter being any easier for the NHS than the past few years.

“Despite 64.1% of cancer patients having a first appointment within two months of an urgent GP referral compared with 62.5% in the previous month's data, the planned treatment waiting list stubbornly remains at 7.6 million. The government needs to act fast on long waits for care, but we are still waiting for more detail on how Labour's promise to increase appointments will improve waiting times. It is also crucial that plans to deal with the backlog of care confront inequalities in access.

“Our new analysis shows hugely concerning variation in waiting times depending on patients' age, sex, ethnicity and how deprived their local area is. It is deeply troubling that Black children and young people wait 21 mins longer at A&E than white children.”

Ends.

Notes to Editors

• The latest monthly performance figures from NHS England can be found at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/