The length of the NHS waiting list has long been a thorn in the side of politicians. Despite repeatedly setting targets to reduce it, the list remains stubbornly high, with 7.6m people currently waiting for treatment. But what has been quietly overlooked is the ‘shadow’ waiting list of people who have had their first referral or treatment and are now waiting for a follow-up appointment for ongoing care (BBC News). NHS England states that hospitals should be recording this information but only three out of the 30 hospitals contacted by the BBC were able to say how many patients were affected.
Hidden list affects all types of care
Although hospitals are supposed to track these patients, in many Trusts the systems in place to do so are either non-existent or ineffective. Such delays are not confined to particular areas of health with differing areas of care being highlighted including cancer treatment, orthopaedics, and ophthalmology. In response to these revelations, the Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has committed to publishing this shadow list to reveal the true number of patients waiting for treatment if Labour wins the next election.
Recovery depends on timely treatment
NHS England guidelines state that if patients’ follow-up treatment is delayed for any reason (which might include the patient themselves cancelling appointments), then they are to be re-added to the main waiting list and thus become part of the published list. This is clearly not happening in many cases which is particularly concerning for those patients whose successful recovery from certain illnesses, such as cancer, depends on timely treatment. The BBC report quotes Macmillan Cancer Support’s policy head, Minesh Patel, as saying that even cancer patients receiving a course of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, critical to their path to recovery, were facing delays. This admission is even more alarming given that last year the NHS was missing its key targets that indicate how well it is performing in its treatment of cancer.
Anxious wait for those on the hidden list
It is well established fact that the earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chances of recovery – providing the right diagnosis is made in the first place and the correct treatment prescribed. Last year there was a flurry of concern when it was revealed that four key targets relating to the successful treatment of cancer were missed. Although this led to a welcome simplification of those targets, it was pointed out by Professor Pat Price, a leading oncologist, that a focus on outcomes rather than targets would be a more effective measure of success. But targets are meaningless if patients whose treatment has been suspended or further delayed disappear from sight.
The revelation that this hidden list exists will add to the anxiety already suffered by those facing up to a cancer diagnosis. Although there are many centres of excellence dealing with cancer detection, referral, and treatment around the country, there will be other hospitals struggling to cope with their waiting lists because of staff and diagnostic equipment shortages - as well as ongoing industrial action. This ‘shadow’ list is exposing the cracks in the system.
Even if a particular condition is not life threatening, any delay to treatment will have a deleterious effect on a patient’s ability to function normally, with work and everyday life adversely affected. I have advised many families on the poor care they have received at various hospitals. If you have any concerns about the disruption to treatment suffered by you or a member of your family, please call me for a confidential chat to see if we can help.
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