At the start of May 2023, I received an update from Mid and South Essex NHS Hospital Trust on our hospitals including this news on progress cutting NHS waiting lists locally.
The trust has told me that they have reduced the number of patients waiting 78 weeks for treatment or alternative care, from around 1,800 patients in November 2022 to 20 at the end of March. This then rose slightly to 89 at the end of April, because of the impact of the Easter holidays and strikes.
They have also said they have been recognised as top in the East region and among the best in the country for reducing the 78-week wait time.
The Trust is are now focusing on the 65-week and 52-week waits, by expanding surgical capacity to treat patients. They plan to have no patients waiting more than 65 weeks by December 2023 (for non-admitted) and March 2024 (for admitted).
