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3mo ago

Labour Meets NHS Target of Two Million Extra Appointments Early

New figures show Labour achieved its annual goal for additional NHS appointments within five months, though challenges in other areas persist.

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image: ©andresr | iStock
Sir Keir Starmer said that hitting the target was a “shot in the arm” for NHS reform

Overview

  • Labour's manifesto promise of two million extra NHS appointments per year was met seven months ahead of schedule, with 2.2 million additional elective care appointments recorded between July and November 2024.
  • The increase was attributed to extra weekend and evening shifts by NHS staff, the resolution of strikes, and £1.8 billion in funding for elective care since Labour took office.
  • Overall NHS waiting lists have fallen for four consecutive months, with 7.46 million treatments pending as of December 2024, down from a peak of 7.7 million in September 2023.
  • Despite progress, significant challenges remain, including long A&E wait times, social care bottlenecks, and the need for further reforms to sustain improvements.
  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting outlined next steps, including new surgical hubs, expanded diagnostic services, and increased use of private sector capacity to reduce waiting times further.