NHS waiting list rises for third month in row

The NHS waiting list in England has increased to 7.41 million, raising concerns that the governments priority to reduce the backlog is jeopardized.

• As of the end of August, the NHS waiting list for routine treatments in England reached 7.41 million, up from 7.36 million in May.
• This marks the third consecutive month of rising waiting lists, indicating ongoing challenges within NHS England to manage patient care effectively.
• Experts warn that the increasing numbers threaten the governments commitment to addressing the NHS backlog, particularly in emergency departments and ambulance services.