Jonathan Patrick, CEO of Consultant Connect, says:
 
“Waiting lists should be one of the biggest priorities for the incoming Labour government, or we could be looking at a new normal of waiting lists remaining stubbornly high in the future?
 
“The new Government desperately needs to appreciate that the NHS is in a bad position. It’s dangerous to do the opposite because it hides the extent of the problem.
 
“NHS staff, including management have been battered by reducing budgets, and we need some radical changes, rather than more of the same “cut cut cut” mentality.
  
“I think it’s time for a national approach set centrally by NHS England. Decide on the best ideas for impacting waiting lists and fund them centrally. Pay hospitals, GPs and commissioners for rolling out the strategies. And measure, measure, measure to make sure it’s working. 
 
“For example, we’ve found that waiting lists for many specialties can be reduced by between a third and a half when consultants “triage” referrals on the waiting list. It’s quick, cheap and can be rolled out centrally. Try that with a couple of other good ideas and you’ll start to see results by September. It will work better than what we’re currently doing.”