Tackling the post pandemic NHS waiting lists- Mission impossible?

Abstract Aim The office of national statistics (ONS) has estimated that around 5.8 million people are currently, waiting for treatment and the government has allocated £ 1.5 billion to tackle the backlog. The study aimed to analyze the likely effectiveness of these measures. Methods We looked at various government and NHS resources pertaining to the recovery plan. Results The actual numbers currently waiting to be treated is predicted to be closer to 13 million. Working within the current timeframes it will take up to 12 years to clear this backlog. Among the surgical specialities the numbers waiting are Orthopaedics- 700,547, Ophthalmology - 595,824, ENT - 459,087, Gynaecology - 438,703, General Surgery - 409,823. The £1.5 billion for elective recovery, includes £500 million capital funding (£250 million for increasing operating theatre capacity and hospital productivity and £250 million for an elective recovery technology fund). The private setup has been utilized in fits and starts to ensure there is no undue delay for cancer surgeries. Pop up centers and surgical hubs are to speed up the diagnosis and treatments for things like day case cataract surgeries. Conclusion Without disruptive thinking, clearing the backlog is mission impossible. The existing capacity has to be utilized beyond the conventional working hours and Hospital at weekend has to designated for pandemic backlog. This will give 104 additional full time days in each of the NHS Hospitals and paying the staff a “new pandemic bank rate” may help get the job done in 4–5 years. References 1. https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/rtt-data-2021-22/; 2. https://www.ons.gov.uk/search?q=nhs+waiting+lists; 3. https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/8352/documents/85020/default/; 4. https://nhswaitlist.lcp.uk.com/; 5. https://ifs.org.uk/publications/15557