NHS Confederation responds to analysis suggesting the NHS will narrowly miss the elective care target this parliament

Responding to a new Health Foundation analysis suggesting the NHS will narrowly miss hitting the 18-week elective care target by the end of this parliament, Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said: 

“It is very positive to see from this analysis that based on current trends the hard work of NHS leaders and their teams will take us extremely close to hitting the 18-week elective target. With a bit of luck and a fair wind behind us this ambitious target could still be achievable, even if it is clear that it will require continued hard work and dedication.

“However, we are concerned that further industrial action and a difficult winter could jeopardise this recovery. Strikes and demand spikes in urgent and emergency care can lead to appointments, tests and operations being delayed or cancelled – delaying vital patient care and hampering efforts to boost productivity.

“The NHS will not be able to deliver the government’s promise to cut waiting times unless the government commits to continuing to increase capital funding to repair crumbling buildings and replace outdated equipment. Allowing private capital investment is one of the only ways that the NHS will be able to build modern healthcare facilities fit for the 21st century.”