Not only did 6.4% of patients awaiting operations in Dacorum have to wait more than 26 weeks, but 14.1% had to wait longer than 18 weeks (the NHS target). Campaigners are claiming that these figures show why the NHS is in desperate need of more investment.
Edie Glatter, from the Dacorum Hospital Action Group, (DHAG) said: “This is a real problem that has a serious impact upon people’s health and well-being.
“Waiting for a procedure like a hip operation or cataracts can be very painful, and a longer wait can mean the condition deteriorates.” She also said that the newly announced funding for the NHS is “welcome”.
This is not the only place that people had to wait significantly longer than the NHS target – in Brighton and Hove, 26.4% waited over 18 weeks and 15.3% waited 26 weeks or more for operations.
Full story in Hemel Today, 7 August 2019