NHS: Access to Treatments

Baroness Butler-Sloss Excerpts
Wednesday 7th September 2022

(1 year, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Kamall Portrait Lord Kamall (Con)
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The Government are well aware of the waiting list problem. In fact, we have virtually eliminated two-year waiting lists, except for some of those difficult cases. The targets, working with various partners across the system, is to make sure that we eliminate 18-month waits by April 2023. When we look at this, those waiting 18 months or longer will be reviewed every three months at a minimum. Diagnosis and treatment of patients will be prioritised according to clinical urgency, then length of wait. NHS England has introduced six categories of prioritisation and is regularly reviewing those to make sure that patients are treated appropriately.

Baroness Butler-Sloss Portrait Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)
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Why have the Government reduced the number of doctors being trained and when will this be changed?

Lord Kamall Portrait Lord Kamall (Con)
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A number of noble Lords have already asked that question. I will take it back to department and get an answer.