Recent NHS data has revealed a ‘shocking’ number of people are waiting for treatment in Hillingdon.
A consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times survey has revealed that almost 8 million people nationwide are currently awaiting the start of their treatment.
Figures show that a record breaking 29,009 people are now on the Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust waiting list. Perhaps more concerning is the 1,682 people who have been waiting longer than a year, far beyond NHS targets.
The NHS target is to treat patients after a maximum wait time of 18 weeks, with a stated aim of having at least 92 per cent of people off the waiting list within that time frame. However, nationally the figure is just 58 per cent.
In Hillingdon, almost half of patients (47 per cent) on waiting lists locally are waiting longer than 18 weeks. Hillingdon Hospital has suffered from operating difficulties in the past few years.
It was ranked as ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission after an inspection last year and has had reports of crumbling infrastructure and staff shortages across various departments.
Danny Beales, Labour candidate for Uxbridge and South Ruislip said: “These figures are truly shocking. Record numbers of people are waiting for healthcare and they are left waiting unacceptably long, whether it’s for an operation, ambulance, or in A&E.
“Here in Hillingdon, almost half of people are waiting over the NHS target. We still don’t have the new hospital we’ve been promised and waiting lists are now over 29,009 people. These are people and families whose lives are being blighted by pain and suffering. We really need urgent action from the local Conservative MP and Conservative government, no more warm words, empty promises and excuses, we need action.”
The NHS trust for hospitals in the area said that 80 per cent of the current Hillingdon Hospital was in need of improvements which were estimated to cost £200m to carry out.
The hospital has been included as part of the government’s £20bn plans to revamp hospitals across the country. Plans for a new hospital were fully approved by Hillingdon Council back in October and it is set to be complete by 2030.
