Health Secretary Wes Streeting stood in the Royal London Hospital on Tuesday to declare that England’s NHS has met a crucial waiting time target—18 months before the deadline. The achievement covers 75% of patients waiting more than two years for routine operations like knee replacements and cataract surgeries. This is the first phase of a wider plan to eliminate all such waits by 2025.
Streeting, flanked by hospital staff and patients, framed the milestone as proof that Labour’s renewed focus on the NHS is yielding results. “This is not just a number. It’s people getting their lives back,” he said. The announcement comes after months of scrutiny over NHS performance, with waiting lists still exceeding 7 million nationally.
| Target | Original Deadline | New Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Eliminate 2-year waits | 2025 | 2023 |
| Reduce 18-month waits | 2024 | 2023 |
The breakthrough follows a targeted £1.3 billion injection into high-volume surgical centres in October 2023. Trusts in Greater Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds were prioritised, with over 500,000 additional operations scheduled through March 2024. NHS England data shows a 34% drop in two-year waits since then, from 143,000 patients to 95,000.
📋 By The Numbers
- 143,000 — Patients waiting over two years in October 2023
- 95,000 — Patients still waiting over two years as of March 2024
- 500,000 — Additional operations funded nationwide
Critics, however, caution that the progress is uneven. In the North East, nearly 2,500 patients still face waits of over two years, while in the South West the figure is closer to 1,200. Trust leaders warn that staff shortages and bed capacity remain critical bottlenecks. “We’ve made progress, but the system is still under immense pressure,” said Dr. Priya Desai, medical director at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
💡 Pro Tip
Patients still waiting should contact their local Integrated Care Board to request an updated timeline—some trusts now offer direct booking for high-volume procedures.
Streeting acknowledged the disparities but insisted the government’s strategy is working. “We’re not declaring victory, but we are turning the tide,” he told reporters. The next phase targets reducing waits of over 18 months to zero by the end of 2024, with another £800 million earmarked for theatre upgrades and staff recruitment.
Key Points
- ✅ 75% reduction in two-year waits achieved 18 months early
- ⚡ £1.3bn investment drove 34% drop in long waits since October 2023
- 💡 Next goal: eliminate 18-month waits by December 2024
The milestone arrives as the NHS faces its busiest winter on record, with A&E departments under strain and ambulance response times delayed. Yet Streeting’s announcement signals a rare moment of progress in a system often criticised for stagnation. For thousands of patients, today marks the first time in years they’ve seen a clear date for surgery.