NHS Faces Challenges in Meeting 18-Week Waiting Time Target

Trust leaders express doubt over achieving Labour's healthcare goals amid growing patient backlog and funding constraints.

NHS trust leaders warn that meeting the 18-week waiting time target is unlikely without significant investment in primary care, children's services, and mental health.
A recent survey shows 71% of NHS trust leaders doubt the feasibility of achieving the target within the next five years.
The current patient backlog stands at 7.6 million, with over 282,000 waiting more than a year for treatment.
NHS Providers highlight a fundamental mismatch between service demand and NHS capacity, exacerbated by financial pressures.
The Labour government's £22.6 billion funding increase is seen as insufficient to cover existing commitments and rising costs.