NHS Waiting Lists Decline for Fifth Consecutive Month

Recent changes in reporting exclude community service patients, impacting the overall figures.

NHS England reports a slight decrease in waiting lists for routine hospital treatment, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline.
Approximately 36,000 treatments previously counted are now excluded due to changes in reporting standards, affecting the total number of patients listed.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins attributes part of the success to the government's focus, despite challenges from industrial actions.
Critics argue that the actual situation remains unchanged and accuse the government of manipulating statistics to show progress.
The government aims to eliminate waits of more than a year for treatment by March 2025, amidst ongoing debates over healthcare efficiency.