Multipronged efforts are needed to reduce NHS waiting times, says review

Waiting times for elective care in the NHS will be reduced only by taking action on several fronts and learning lessons from the past, a report from health experts has said.This means tackling staff shortages and underfunding, working more collaboratively through integrated care systems, and developing an aligned vision for the health service between staff, patients, and the public, according to a report from the King’s Fund health think tank.1The report, which was commissioned by the government, is based on a review of relevant studies and input from 14 unnamed health service experts who were involved with designing, implementing, and reviewing waiting times policy in England from 1997 onwards.It paints a stark picture of the current situation, saying that the NHS now routinely misses national targets for how long patients should wait and that waiting lists stand at more than seven million open patient pathways—the highest level since the 18…
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