A Tory minister was informed NHS ready lists had been “going the incorrect manner” regardless of Rishi Sunak’s pledge to deliver them down.
Well being secretary Victoria Atkins was proven a damning graph setting out how the lists have virtually doubled within the final 5 years to virtually 8 million.
That’s regardless of the prime minister vowing in the beginning of the 12 months that they’d be decrease inside 12 months.
Showing on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on BBC One this morning, Atkins refused to substantiate that the lists could be down in time for the following election.
Pointing to the graph, Kuenssberg stated: “That is what has occurred to ready lists. We all know in fact the pandemic made issues way more difficult, however our viewers can see it was going up properly earlier than the pandemic.
“Heaps extra money has gone in, there are numerous, many extra workers. That is the scenario that persons are having to cope with.
“That is the prime minister’s goal and it’s going the incorrect manner.”
The minister claimed the long-running industrial motion by docs and nurses was accountable for the federal government’s failure.
“Since December final 12 months we’ve seen some 1.1 million appointments should be rescheduled,” she stated.
Atkins stated the federal government has reached a pay settlement with unions representing NHS consultants, and that talks had been ongoing with junior docs as properly.
However Kuenssberg identified that Atkins’ predecessor as well being secretary, Steve Barclay, had refused to barter with the commerce unions for months.
“You’ve stated that the strikes are a giant cause why the ready lists are sky excessive and persons are struggling,” she stated. “Why then did the federal government sit on its palms for months refusing to speak to the docs. Isn’t that duty on you too?”
The presenter went on: “With the numbers going the incorrect manner, are you able to commit that you just’re truly going to hit these targets earlier than the final election?”
The minister replied: “We want to meet these targets, however I want the consultants to move this settlement that we’ve got put ahead.”
Kuenssberg replied: “You’re saying that if the docs settle for the brand new deal, the prime minister may hit his targets. However when you don’t, he received’t.”
Atkins stated: “We’re doing all the pieces we are able to.”
