NHS waiting lists dip slightly in November as private healthcare receives £2.5bn boost

The latest NHS England data on Referral to Treatment (RTT) waiting times shows that the number of people waiting for treatment dipped slightly to 7.48m in November 2024, down from 7.54m in October 2024.

While the data marks a 2% or 133,882 reduction from the 7.61m total in November 2023, it remains 64% or 2.9m higher than the pre-pandemic level of 4.56m in November 2019.

The announcement follows recent Government initiatives aimed at reducing waiting times by leveraging the private healthcare sector. Private healthcare providers will now receive an additional £2.5bn annually, bringing the total to nearly £16bn. The Prime Minister’s plan includes a commitment to ensure patients wait no more than 18 weeks for non-urgent care by spring 2029.

Emily Jones, client consulting director at leading independent consultancy Broadstone, said: “Today’s NHS data shows that those waiting for treatment in November hit 7.48 million, emphasising the Prime Minister’s recent remarks about the urgent need to tackle the millions of people currently unable to access much-needed treatment.

“It’s encouraging that the Prime Minister has announced new incentive measures to support businesses facilitating access to private healthcare given the significant relief the private market provides to the mounting demand pressures on NHS services, particularly in light of this winter’s flu crisis.”

She added: “While the Government expects its new reforms to take millions of patients off waiting lists, tackle backlogs in hospitals, and boost appointments, businesses across the country have been stepping up to the mantle to fill the NHS’ healthcare gap, offering and investing in comprehensive, innovative healthcare benefits to protect their employees and their long-term growth from the damaging productivity consequences of poorer access to NHS support.

“With the waiting list placing more people at risk of falling out of the workforce due to preventable or manageable conditions due to delayed diagnosis and treatment, preventative healthcare, like health screenings and early intervention resources, is becoming increasingly popular to support employee wellbeing and limit absenteeism.”