NHS publishes new data on hospital waiting times and health inequalities

The NHS has published new data breaking down the waiting list according to a range of demographic factors – including age, sex, ethnicity and indices of multiple deprivation – for the first time.

A statement from NHS England highlighted that patients in the areas of highest deprivation and those from an Asian or Asian British background are more likely to be waiting longer than 18 weeks than any other group.

Examining waiting times for eye care specifically, 1040 patients in the most deprived areas of England were waiting 52 weeks or more for ophthalmology care (accounting for 1.9% of the ophthalmology waiting list in these areas).

In the least deprived areas of England, 750 patients were waiting for 52 weeks or more for ophthalmology treatment (comprising 1.4% of the ophthalmology waiting list in these areas).

The figures show that the largest specialty for those aged older than 65 across all specialties is ophthalmology (accounting for 14% of over 65s on the waiting list).

NHS national clinical director for elective care, Stella Vig, highlighted that the new data provides greater transparency around NHS services.

“Understanding patient demographics is vital if we are to identify and tackle the way different groups are treated,” she said.

NHS Providers chief executive, Daniel Elkeles, emphasised that addressing health inequalities is a key focus of the 10 Year Health Plan.

“Breaking down waiting list figures by age, sex, ethnicity, and deprivation levels is a welcome, much-needed step to help NHS trusts identify and tackle deep-rooted differences in the way groups of patients are treated,” he said.