Vital NHS targets have been missed for at least seven years, research shows

Findings from a new investigation has highlighted that the NHS have failed to meet targets that include cancer care, covering A&E and wait times.

The research, which was discovered by the BBC and published yesterday – 10^th January 2024 – was conducted by experts who examined NHS records dating back 20 years. The analysis focused on three key hospital targets, which include having a sufficient number of A&E staff, wait times and cancer care, and exposed that the last time goals were met in England was during 2015-2016.

Zooming into this even further, during July 2015 hospitals in England successfully got A&E wait times down to four hours, in December 2016 people only had to wait 62 days for cancer care and in February 2016 hospital treatment targets were met.

Against this backdrop, the research also displayed that Northern Ireland and Wales have never met the four-hour accident and emergency target.

In Scotland it has also been found that targets have never been met apart from A&E wait targets, which was during lockdown in 2020.

Despite all four nations frequently agreeing that improving NHS wait times is a priority, Siva Anandaciva, King’s fund think tank chief analyst, has claimed that the new findings should act as a ‘wake-up call’.

In addition, Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, shared similar views. She said: ‘The health of many deteriorates while they await treatment and their problems become more complex. This means they will need more time and resources to treat them when they are finally seen, at great cost to the patient and the NHS.’  

In response to the new research, a spokeswoman for NHS England has claimed that progress is being made, as the number of people facing long wait times are dropping which have signalled that the NHS is coping better with this winter as opposed to last year.

Similar acknowledgements have come from authorities representing the NHS in the other three nations. A Welsh government spokeswoman said more money is being invested into their health service, adding: ‘We have placed a clear focus on those patients with an urgent need and who have waited the longest.’

Image: aitoff

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