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Homepage | News | NHS staff thanked for helping cut national elective surgery waiting list

NHS staff thanked for helping cut national elective surgery waiting list

NHS staff thanked for helping cut national elective surgery waiting list

Group Chief Executive Diane Wake has today thanked staff working across Sandwell and West Birmingham and Dudley Group NHS Trusts for helping to reduce waiting lists while supporting people who often need lifechanging surgery.

The Government set a national target for 65 per cent of patients to be seen within 18 weeks for elective treatment by March this year. The latest figures, released today, confirm that the NHS has delivered this goal, despite needing to postpone elective appointments, tests and surgeries due to industrial action.

Both SWB NHS Trust and Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust have improved their overall performance in reducing waiting times with Sandwell seeing 63% of patients on all pathways within 18 weeks and Dudley seeing 64% of patients waiting less than 18 weeks.

Progress on the waiting list comes on the back of a year where the NHS performed the highest number of surgeries, tests, checks and elective appointments.

Dr Jess Sokolov, Regional Medical Director for NHSE in the Midlands, said: “Delays to planned procedures have a massive human cost in terms of the growing loss of independence or risk of accidents as a patient’s health deteriorates. That’s why we want more people to be seen within the 18-week time frame and return to their best health as soon as possible.”

Dr Sokolov emphasised that local providers have each played a part in the national effort to deliver the 65% 18 week-wait target, while maintaining a range of other clinical standards, and should be proud of their contribution.

“I want to thank everyone working in local health services for their commitment to improving standards while carrying out more tests, checks and elective appointments than any other year.”

Diane added: “I am proud of my staff working to ensure patients can be seen earlier, and while today’s figures demonstrate their hard work, we know there is more to do. These stats represent a dramatic reduction in waiting times for our communities.

“Cutting waiting times isn’t just about improving our performance figures — it’s about giving patients the timely care they deserve. When people are seen sooner, their outcomes are better, their anxiety is reduced, and their overall experience of the NHS is transformed. That’s why reducing waits remains one of our most important commitments.”