Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the cost to the NHS of patients who receive more invasive procedures as a result of deteriorating health conditions while waiting for elective procedures.

No formal assessment has been made. The ‘Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care’ sets out how the National Health Service will recover and expand elective services over the next three years. It also includes targeted support for patients who are waiting for care by developing guidance to support local health systems. The plan commits clinicians to work with patients to ensure their planned care remains the best option.

Additionally the ‘My Planned Care’ website launched in February 2022 and allows patients to find the average waiting time at their local hospital for treatment. The platform will be expanded in the coming months to support patients on waiting lists.