Roy Lilley discusses the waiting list problem facing the NHS and the prospects for recovery… with the waiting list Gooroo, Rob Findlay.
In this 15-minute fact finder our very own waiting list Gooroo, Rob Findlay – now Director of Strategic Solutions at Insource – discusses the main issues facing the NHS in tackling the backlogs.
Listen now
In this issue he looks at the true size of the lists; those not yet reached a diagnosis and how long waits are exacerbating illness, the ‘missing referrals’ and those not counted at all such as follow ups. And those people, again not counted in the backlog figures, with critical ailments that all need care and regular consultant visits. All of which are taking valuable time, staff, and resources to manage.
Recent Elective Recovery Plan initiatives
The recently announced My Planned Care app promises care anywhere there’s better wait times. But whilst there are variations across the country, the high backlog specialities such as Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics are under pressure everywhere.
The underlying problem is that the NHS can’t keep up with current demand, and although there are ambitions to increase capacity, the ‘ask’ to deliver a 30% increase in activity by 2024-25 will be huge challenge.
The promised 100+ diagnostics centres and dedicated surgical hubs will help. But workforce will be the bottleneck and this the Recovery Plan does not address.
Dr Findlay urges us not to neglect patients with complex conditions in favour of reducing the headline numbers on the list. He outlines there’s got to be fairness and recognition of clinical need.
This is something we can help with
At Insource our elective care solutions provide a single, fully validated, version of the truth of all waiting lists – in a trust, ICS, mental health, or community organisation. This end-to-end pathway management identifies clinical priorities, health inequalities, long waiters and much more… so trusts can accurately manage capacity planning and deal equitably with all patients.
And the outlook for the future? Dr Findlay warns that getting back to reasonable waiting times will take the best part of this decade.
