Exclusive
NHS WAIT BOTCH
Doctors are making NHS delays worse by not sending patients to quieter hospitals, data reveals
Waits could get worse as GPs taking industrial action are set to direct even more patients straight to hospitals
DOCTORS are making NHS delays worse by not sending patients to quieter hospitals, analysis shows.
Ministers say patients must be told if they could get treated faster elsewhere.
1
It comes as GPs plan to bring the NHS “to a standstill” with their first major industrial action in 60 years.
Research by the Independent Healthcare Providers Network shows that millions could slash their waiting times with a short drive.
They could be treated weeks or even months sooner if they travel an average of 12 miles to hospitals with smaller backlogs.
NHS rules give patients the right to be treated at any hospital that offers what they need but many GPs simply refer them locally.
READ MORE NHS NEWS
David Hare, chief of the IHPN, said: “This right to choose has been in place for years but too few people know about it.
“NHS waiting lists are still unacceptably high.
“The new Government must do more to ensure the public are aware there is a wide range of healthcare providers where they can get free treatment.”
Patients are supposed to be treated within 18 weeks but only about six in 10 are.
Most read in Health
Waits could get worse as those GPs taking industrial action are set to direct even more patients straight to hospitals.
There are 3.2million people on waiting lists at the worst-performing third of hospitals in England.
The IHPN calculated how far those patients would need to travel to the quickest one in their region – and the time they could save.
It found a long-waiting patient in the Midlands could shave off 11 weeks by moving to a hospital 11.8 miles away, cutting their wait time from 20 weeks to 8.5.
In the North West a patient at a poorly performing hospital could slash their wait from 21 weeks to 14 weeks with an 8.5-mile trip, it added.
Mr Hare said: “This would not only help patients access the quickest possible NHS treatment and lead happier, healthier lives, but also cut the record high NHS backlog.”
The Department of Health said: “The NHS is broken and patients are not getting the information they need.
“Healthcare professionals should make clear to patients that they have a choice over where they can receive treatment.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
An NHS spokesperson added: “Patients are able to choose from up to five options to receive treatment – including in the private sector where appropriate.
“Services are working closely with private providers to ensure available capacity is maximised so that more progress can be made on long waits for patients.”
Labour's Wes Streeting on NHS waiting times and staff retention
Topics