The NHS waiting list in England could soar to 14 million by the autumn of next year and keep growing, an influential think tank has warned.
If millions of patients who missed out on care during the pandemic seek medical attention, then the number joining the waiting list could outstrip the number being treated, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said in a new report.
Last month, Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned that NHS waiting lists in England could rocket to 13 million.
The number joining the NHS waiting list could outstrip the number being treated
Last month, Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned that NHS waiting lists in England could rocket to 13 million
The IFS warned the number could top this figure if most of the near seven million so-called ‘missing’ patients return to the health service in the next year.
It said: ‘Under this scenario, waiting lists would soar to 14 million by the autumn of 2022 and then continue to climb, as the number joining the waiting list exceeds the number being treated.’
The IFS said it was unlikely all patients will return as some will have died and others might have had private treatment or chosen to live with their illnesses.
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