NHS England figures show 6.5 million patients were waiting for treatment in September (Lynne Cameron/PA)
6.5 million people are on NHS waiting lists, official estimates show
By Ted Hennessey, PA17:45 - November 23, 2023
During Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on November 22, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer claimed 7.8 million people were on NHS waiting lists.
Evaluation: False
NHS England figures, published on November 9, show an estimated 6.5 million unique patients were waiting for treatment in September, with some people waiting for multiple treatments.
The facts
NHS England figures on waiting times show “the number of unique patients is estimated to be around 6.5 million”.
They also show the number of referral to treatment (RTT) pathways “where a patient was waiting to start treatment at the end of September 2023 was 7.8 million”, with this figure including patients on “multiple (treatment) pathways”.
The statistics include patients waiting to start treatment at the end of September 2023.
The Labour Party has been asked for comment.
Links
Sir Keir’s comments during PMQs (archived)
NHS England release on waiting times (archived)
NHS England statistics on waiting times (archived)
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