England’s NHS waiting lists hide a daunting truth. A modeling study, dissecting data from Jan 1, 2020, to Dec 31, 2022, revealed a staggering elective procedure backlog of 4,519,467. Shockingly, 80.3% lurked in the hidden waiting list—3,621,423 procedures unnoticed. General surgery and orthopedics bore the brunt. Startlingly, 49.3% affected those aged 16-59. The majority, 84.7%, were day-case procedures. Urgent action, funding, and workforce expansion are imperative to tackle this crisis, emphasizing the need for resilience against future disruptions.
Journal Article by None None in Lancet
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