Today’s NHS England data on Referral to Treatment (RTT) Waiting Times shows that the number of people waiting slightly dipped to 7.48 million in November 2024, following October’s 7.54 million total.
The latest data marks a 2% or 133,882 fall from the 7.61 total in November 2023, and a 64% or 2,916,155 rise from levels in November 2019 (4.56 million), before the pandemic.
It follows the Prime Minister’s recent speech on the NHS, and the utilisation of the private healthcare market.
Private operators will now receive an extra £2.5bn a year in government funding, taking the total to almost £16bn if they deliver the uplift in care and treatment the prime minister outlined. The initiative is a key element in a plan intended to ensure that patients no longer have to wait more than 18 weeks for non-urgent hospital care by spring 2029.
Emily Jones, Client Consulting Director at leading independent consultancy Broadstone, said: “Today’s NHS data shows that those waiting for treatment in November hit 7.48 million, emphasising the Prime Minister’s recent remarks about the urgent need to tackle the millions of people currently unable to access much-needed treatment.
“It’s encouraging that the Prime Minister has announced new incentive measures to support businesses facilitating access to private healthcare given the significant relief the private market provides to the mounting demand pressures on NHS services, particularly in light of this winter’s flu crisis.”
"While the government expects its new reforms to take millions of patients off waiting lists, tackle backlogs in hospitals, and boost appointments, businesses across the country have been stepping up to the mantle to fill the NHS’ healthcare gap, offering and investing in comprehensive, innovative healthcare benefits to protect their employees and their long-term growth from the damaging productivity consequences of poorer access to NHS support.
“With the waiting list placing more people at risk of falling out of the workforce due to preventable or manageable conditions due to delayed diagnosis and treatment, preventative healthcare, like health screenings and early intervention resources, is becoming increasingly popular to support employee wellbeing and limit absenteeism.”
