Wes Streeting says ‘tide is popping’ on NHS waits as appointments aim met early

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said the Government is “turning the tide” on NHS waits after hitting its target to deliver 2 million extra appointments early.

NHS England figures show today that between July and November 2024 there were almost 2.2 million more appointments compared with the same period in 2023. Ramping up weekend and evening working has helped the NHS to deliver the target seven months early, with over 100,000 more treatments, tests and scans for patients each week.

Writing in the Mirror, Mr Streeting said: “Of all the crises this government inherited, one of the most urgent was the broken NHS. The Conservatives left 7.6 million on waiting lists.

“People are waiting up to 18 months for treatment, worrying about a recently-discovered lump, the outcome of a test, or when they will be able to return to work. The fundamental promise of the NHS, that it will be there for us when we need it, has been broken.”

He admitted the Government had been forced to make some “unpopular decisions” in the Budget but argued the tough choices had allowed for cash to be poured into the NHS. “After 14 years of rising waiting lists under the Tories, we are turning the tide,” he added.

The NHS backlog fell for the fourth consecutive month to 7.46million treatments – relating to 6.24 million patients – in December, the lowest figure since April 2023. Keir Starmer said the milestone was a “shot in the arm” for plans to get the NHS back on its feet – but acknowledged there was a long way to go.

The Prime Minister said: “This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the cancer patients who for too long were left wondering when they’ll finally start getting their life-saving treatment. It’s about the millions of people who’ve put their lives and livelihoods on hold – waiting in pain and uncertainty as they wait for a diagnosis.

“We said we’d turn this around and that’s exactly what we’re doing – this milestone is a shot in the arm for our plan to get the NHS back on its feet and cut waiting times. But we’re not complacent and we know the job isn’t done.

“We’re determined to go further and faster to deliver more appointments, faster treatment and a National Health Service that the British public deserve as part of our plan for change.”

The Government has announced an extra £40 million funding pot for trusts who make the biggest improvements in slashing waits, which can be spent on capital projects such as new equipment or repairs to their estate.