NHS Waiting Lists in England Rise to 7.57 Million in First Increase in Seven Months, Pressuring Sunak

Jun 13, 2024, 09:10 AM

NHS waiting lists in England have increased for the first time in seven months, reaching 7.57 million cases in April 2024. This marks a rise of approximately 34,000 from March, with 300,000 people now waiting longer than a year for treatment. The data presents a significant challenge for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who had pledged to reduce waiting times. The increase, although slight at 1.4%, is the largest in over a year, adding pressure on Sunak's administration ahead of the upcoming election. The waiting list is still 359k higher than when Sunak pledged to cut it in January 2023.