The backlog of people waiting over two years for a routine operation in England has dropped from 22,500 at the beginning of the year to under 200, according to recent NHS figures released.
NHS England figures show the number of patients waiting has dropped to 168, excluding complex cases or those who chose not to travel for speedier treatment.
NHS England have stated that they have achieved the first milestone in the most important catch-up plan in health service history, published as the NHS Elective Recovery Plan, implemented earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statistics
At the beginning of 2022, in excess of 22,500 people had been more than two years for scans, checks and surgery. Figures reveal that approximately 51,000 people who would have reached over the two years mark in July have also been treated.
Hospitals have treated more than 220,000 patients with the COVID-19 since the plan was published in February.
However, according to the BBC, a record 6.6 million people are still waiting for hospital treatment.
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Progress
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said as it was announced that the backlog of people waiting over two years for a routine operation in England has dropped: “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff the NHS has delivered the first mile-stone in our Elective Recovery Plan.
“It has only been possible because the NHS has continued to reform the way we deliver care, using innovative techniques and adopting pioneering technology like robot surgery, and through building new relationships and mutual aid arrangements across systems to offer patients the opportunity to be transferred elsewhere and get the care they need as quickly as possible.
“The next phase will focus on patients waiting longer than 18 months, building on the fantastic work already done, and while it is a significant challenge our remarkable staff have shown that when we are given the tools and resources we need, the NHS delivers for our patients”.
Sir James Mackey, NHS England national director of elective recovery, said: “Reaching this milestone is testament to the hard work of NHS staff across the country, who have treated tens of thousands of the longest waits in the six months since we launched our ambitious recovery plan.
“From dedicated surgery hubs to increase the number of procedures carried out each day, to day case surgeries allowing people to recover in the comfort of their homes, and ensuring treatment transfers can happen for those patients prepared to travel, NHS staff are doing everything possible to bring down long waits for patients even further.
Though the backlog of people waiting over two years for a routine operation in England has dropped,
