Responding to news that the Treasury will release funding to deliver an extra two million elective appointments in the NHS in England, Professor Phil Banfield, chair of council at the BMA, said:

“NHS waiting lists have been too high for too long and are causing unnecessary pain and misery to millions of patients across the UK. 

“The release of extra funding for two million more elective appointments is a promising start and will certainly go some way to relieving pressure on the health service, but we have a waiting list of 7.64 million cases – that’s 6.33 million individual patients waiting in England. There must of course be additional consequential funding to help relieve waiting lists in the devolved nations too. 

“The Budget must address what else the Government is going to do to get these other waits down and support the NHS so that they don’t creep up again. This must include plans to increase the workforce – primarily to staff any newly funded surgical hubs and scanners so that we can see more patients sooner. 

“Most importantly, however, this Budget comes ahead of the winter pressures, so to make it count, the Government must also factor in ways to protect the NHS against this particularly intense period. For that, we need more beds, appropriate PPE, and measures put in place to look after the physical and mental wellbeing of staff. Making sure that we value and retain existing staff is something that can be done immediately. 

“Supporting the health service through winter means we can make the best of this new funding, and we look forward to hearing more about what other support will be available to help the NHS achieve this.” 

Ends

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.