ONS survey reveals 14.4% of patients in the capital are facing long delays for healthcare
According to a major survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), one in seven patients in London are waiting more than a year for a hospital appointment or treatment through the NHS. The analysis, which covers the four-week period up to February 15, found that 14.4% of Londoners had been waiting over 12 months for care.
This figure ranks as the fourth highest in the country, following the South East (15.1%), South West (16.9%), and North West (18.3%). Meanwhile, NHS England’s own data revealed that 1.2 million people in London were on the NHS waiting list as of January.
The survey also focused on experiences with GP services. Nearly 50% of respondents said it was easy to contact their GP practice, but nearly 30% reported difficulties. Furthermore, 5.7% of Londoners who contacted their GP were told to call back another day due to a lack of available appointments.
The survey is based on nearly 90,000 responses from adults aged 16 and over across England, with all figures adjusted to account for age and population size.
In other news, the British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that industrial action by GPs may be on the horizon. A poll of 391 family doctors revealed that 72% of GPs are in favour of striking, citing burnout, stress, and concerns over patient safety as key reasons for their frustration. The BMA has also criticised a new contract for GPs, stating that the 1.9% funding increase for 2024/25 is insufficient to support the sustainability of GP practices.
