Fears NHS patient backlog could soar to 13 million on waiting list – what Savid Javid said

The health secretary has said there could be more of a “proportionate” approach to the NHS self-isolation rule
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

New Health Secretary Sajid Javid has warned that NHS waiting lists could rocket to 13 million in the coming months as concerns rise over the backlog faced by the health service.

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph in his first interview since taking up the job two weeks ago, Mr Javid said the growing number of people waiting for non-Covid treatment on the NHS had been what shocked him the most since returning to the Cabinet following Matt Hancock’s resignation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We want to hear from you: let us know what you think about this story and be part of the debate in our comments section below

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said that there could be a more "proportionate" approach to the self-isolation policy for NHS staff (WPA Pool/Getty Images)Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said that there could be a more "proportionate" approach to the self-isolation policy for NHS staff (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said that there could be a more "proportionate" approach to the self-isolation policy for NHS staff (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Read More
Queen sends England team 'good wishes' ahead of Euro 2020 final - here's what sh...

At a glance: 5 key points

- NHS trusts are facing the combined hit of Covid cases rising again

- They have seen a backlog for treatments including cancer checks and heart disease

- There is also staff shortages due to workers having to self-isolate if they are ‘pinged’ by the Covid app

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

- Sajiv Javid said “there’s every reason” to take a “proportionate and balanced approach” to the isolation policy for NHS staff

What’s been said?

He told the newspaper: “What shocked me the most is when I was told that the waiting list is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

“It’s gone up from 3.5 million to 5.3 million as of today, and I said to the officials so what do you mean ‘a lot worse’, thinking maybe it goes from 5.3 million to six million, seven million. They said no, it’s going to go up by millions… it could go as high as 13 million.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Hearing that figure of 13 million, it has absolutely focused my mind, and it’s going to be one of my top priorities to deal with because we can’t have that.”

Background

NHS Providers, the membership organisation for NHS trusts in England, warned that up to a fifth of staff could be absent from one NHS trust in just three weeks from now, potentially leading to the cancellation of as many as 900 operations.

The rate of new cases of Covid in most areas of England is now back at levels last seen during the winter.

Patient numbers have risen to levels last seen around three months ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In his Sunday Telegraph interview, Mr Javid said anyone who would not wear a mask in an enclosed space was “just being irresponsible” despite it becoming guidance rather than the law in Step 4 of restrictions lifting.

Related topics: