8 November 2021
New research from NHS watchdog Healthwatch shows that one in three people had surgery cancelled by the NHS in the last 18 months
Over the last three months Healthwatch, which exists to make sure NHS leaders hear patients’ voices, has heard from more than 2,500 people about their experiences of waiting for NHS treatment.
Nearly one in ten (8%) reported waiting for more than two years to receive care. Healthwatch thinks that the way waiting lists are talked about means that people may see no point in seeking out a crucial diagnosis or much-needed treatment because they fear they will never be seen anyway or feel guilted into not ‘burdening’ the NHS further.
And it’s not just the time spent waiting that’s a cause for concern. Healthwatch says that cancellations are one of the most significant issues raised with them about the current pressures the NHS is under. Their research found that over the last 18 months, one in three (32%) had a procedure cancelled at least once (15% more than once).
Of those who had treatment cancelled, 18% were on the day itself, and a further 29% had it cancelled in the week leading up to it.
Healthwatch says that people want to know they have a date in the diary for their treatment, and they want to be able to plan their lives around it. Whether it be work commitments, caring responsibilities or even scheduled treatment for other conditions, Healthwatch says there are plenty of reasons why people cannot simply work to the NHS’s timetable. The watchdog says that cancellations, especially when they are last minute, can cause major disruption to people’s lives and leave them feeling dejected.
The full research can be found here
