Response to the King’s Fund report on strategies to reduce waiting times for elective care

The Royal College of Anaesthetists welcomes the King’s Fund report on strategies to reduce waiting times for elective care.

The report presents findings of research – commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care – to understand strategies that have been used to reduce waiting times in England and elsewhere in the past 20 years.

The report concludes that while there is no ‘silver bullet’ to bring about a sustained reduction in waiting times for patients, there are lessons to be learned from policies in the early 2000s, including in relation to a clear vision for the NHS, investment in workforce and equipment, incentives to reducing waiting lists, and political focus.

While the report acknowledges that additional investment and expansion of the workforce will not be sufficient in themselves to reduce waiting times, they are a “vital starting point”, without which it will not be possible for the government to implement its elective care Delivery Plan.

We have long argued that there can be no NHS recovery without addressing workforce shortages and pressures. The vast majority of operations carried out in the NHS require an anaesthetist. There is currently a shortage of around 1,400 anaesthetists, which in turn prevents around 1 million patients from getting the operation they need every year. Without urgent action this shortage is set to increase to 11,000 by 2040, preventing about 8 million operations taking place.

Similar workforce shortages within social care are exacerbating the problems in our hospitals, with increasing numbers of patients who do not need to be in hospital but cannot be discharged without appropriate social care in place. Our health and care system is a continuum and we need to see that reflected in workforce planning.

Dr Fiona Donald, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists said:

“The King’s Fund research is further evidence that investment in the NHS workforce is fundamental to a successful strategy to reduce waiting times. This conclusion will resonate with our members, who are experiencing the impacts of staff shortages, not only in relation to their collective ability to reduce the backlog of elective surgery, but on their own morale and wellbeing.

“The government’s commitment to publish a long-term workforce plan for the NHS is a step in the right direction, but we also need a commitment to providing the necessary funding and training places to deliver that plan.

“We also need action to better value and support our current healthcare workers, so that we can retain the experienced staff whose contribution is vital to a sustained reduction in waiting lists. This includes action to enable our senior doctors to work the hours required of them without suffering pension penalties.”