New NHS figures show huge waiting lists at Bristol's hospitals
Nationally a record breaking six million people were waiting for treatment at the end of 2021
New NHS figures show the huge pressure on Bristol's two NHS Trusts.
As of the end of December 2021, 53,253 patients were waiting for treatment at the University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Trust, which covers hospitals including the BRI and Bristol Eye Hospital, while 37,264 patients were waiting for treatment at the North Bristol Trust which covers Southmead.
At its worst, for every 100 patients, eight who had been referred for treatment at Southmead were still waiting after 45 weeks.
The numbers, while shocking, are similar to many other trusts across the country, as the NHS struggles to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
WATCH: Senior Reporter James Diamond has previously spoken to a Bristol GP about pressures on the NHS
Across Sheffield's two trusts for example, there were around 75,000 patients waiting for treatment at the end of 2021, while the Royal Free London NHS Trust had just under 99,000 patients waiting.
Elsewhere in the South West, the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust had more than 31,000 patients waiting.
Overall more than six million patients were waiting to be treated across the UK, a new record.
In statements sent to us, both of Bristol's Trusts apologised.
A North Bristol NHS Trust spokesperson said: "Like hospitals across the country, our response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in the number of patients who are waiting for procedures.
"During this time we prioritised cancer and urgent life and limb-saving surgery.
"Our staff are working hard to see patients as quickly as possible, but we are sorry to anyone who is waiting longer than we would hope for their operations."
Dr Mark Smith, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said their patients are their "top priority".
"Like hospitals across the country our waiting lists have been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Following the recent publication of the national Elective Recovery Plan we are developing our plans to address these delays to patient care.
“We are making the best possible use of digital innovations and collaborative working between our health and care partners to see patients as quickly and safely as possible.
"We apologise to anyone experiencing longer waits to be treated.”
The elective recovery plan, unveiled by the Health Secretary Sajid Javid on Tuesday (February 8), aims to see waiting lists start to reduce from March 2024.
He warned however, that the numbers could continue to rise before they begin to fall.
Several key points feature in the plan including:
- cutting waiting lists to under a year by 2025
- eliminating waits of over 18 months by April 2023 and over 65 weeks by March 2024
- restoring diagnostics within six weeks to pre-pandemic levels by 2025
- creating of list of reservist health workers to "increase capacity"
Labour has said the plan "falls seriously short" of what is needed to improve the NHS.