Labour Pledges to Clear NHS Waiting List Backlog in Five Years
Labour has promised to clear the NHS waiting list backlog in England within five years. The plan includes increasing evening and weekend services, staffing, and using private sector capacity, financed by a £1.3 billion annual funding boost. Experts commend the ambition but warn it may be challenging to meet the target.
Labour has vowed to eliminate the NHS waiting list backlog in England within five years.
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned that continued Conservative governance could push the waiting list to 10 million cases, turning the NHS into a 'poor service for poor people.' The pledge, announced during a campaign in the West Midlands by Labour leader Keir Starmer and Streeting, aims to clear the backlog of 3.2 million patients waiting over 18 weeks for treatment.
Labour plans to achieve this through enhanced evening and weekend services, increased staffing, and using private sector capacity.
A £1.3 billion annual funding boost will partly finance the initiative, alongside efforts to modernize and enhance efficiency.
While healthcare experts appreciate the ambition, they caution that achieving the goal may prove challenging.
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned that continued Conservative governance could push the waiting list to 10 million cases, turning the NHS into a 'poor service for poor people.' The pledge, announced during a campaign in the West Midlands by Labour leader Keir Starmer and Streeting, aims to clear the backlog of 3.2 million patients waiting over 18 weeks for treatment.
Labour plans to achieve this through enhanced evening and weekend services, increased staffing, and using private sector capacity.
A £1.3 billion annual funding boost will partly finance the initiative, alongside efforts to modernize and enhance efficiency.
While healthcare experts appreciate the ambition, they caution that achieving the goal may prove challenging.
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