Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has publicly addressed the ongoing crisis in NHS waiting times, highlighting a strategic partnership that leverages independent healthcare providers to reduce delays for patients. Acknowledging the frustration faced by many who have waited months for treatment despite following the proper referral pathways, Streeting emphasised the government’s commitment to ending the postcode lottery in healthcare access.

In his recent commentary, Streeting pointed out that since the election, the government promised an additional two million NHS appointments but has actually delivered five million, with over half a million carried out by the independent sector free at the point of use. This approach, he argued, not only shortens waiting times by up to ten weeks but also gives patients much-needed time back—a pragmatic and morally progressive stance that challenges the notion of two-tier healthcare where the wealthy receive faster treatment simply because they can afford private care.

The collaboration with independent providers forms a cornerstone of the government’s wider Plan for Change to rebuild the NHS, which includes opening new Community Diagnostic Centres, extending operating theatre hours into evenings and weekends, and investing in cutting-edge technology like robotic surgery for faster patient recovery. Recruitment efforts have also been bolstered, with 2,500 new general practitioners and improvements aimed at easing patient access to primary care services.

Government data reveals the impact of these efforts: as of October 2025, independent providers have delivered over six million appointments, tests, and operations for NHS patients—an increase of nearly 500,000 from the previous year. This significant volume of care delivered by the independent sector has helped reduce the waiting list by more than 200,000 patients, with some able to reduce their waiting times by up to five months by opting for nearby hospitals with shorter queues.

This strategy was formalised in January 2025 through an agreement targeting chronic bottlenecks in specialist areas such as gynaecology and orthopaedics, focusing particularly on patients from deprived areas to ensure equity of access. The government has emphasised that all care continues to be free at the point of use and that patients are empowered to make informed choices about their treatment, supported by innovations like the NHS App. Research shows that enabling choice can reduce waiting times by up to three months, further underlining the impact of these reforms.

The increased reliance on the independent sector has been pivotal, delivering approximately half a million episodes of care monthly, including appointments, scans, tests, and surgical procedures. This collaborative approach not only addresses immediate backlogs but also paves the way for long-term NHS capacity building and improving patient outcomes.

Despite these advances, Streeting acknowledges that the journey is far from over. He recalled that the end of the last Labour government saw the shortest waiting times and highest patient satisfaction, setting a benchmark the current administration aims to meet once again. He criticised the moral injustice inherent in a system where wealth determines healthcare access and insisted that the government’s approach ensures fairness and pragmatism go hand in hand.

The ongoing efforts reflect a comprehensive plan combining investment, modernisation, and partnership to restore public confidence in the NHS. By harnessing spare capacity in the independent sector alongside NHS resources, the government aims to deliver timely treatment to all patients, regardless of their financial means.

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Source: Noah Wire Services