West Herts Trust hospital waiting lists fall in July

Newly-released NHS England data shows that 51,474 patients were waiting for non-urgent elective operations or treatment at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust at the end of July, of which 3 per cent, or 1,723, had been waiting for longer than a year.

This marked a fall from 53,404 in June, and 62,679 in July 2023.

The median waiting time from referral at an NHS Trust for treatment at West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust was 15 weeks at the end of July – down from 16 weeks in June.

Fewer patients were waiting for treatment at Watford General, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans City hospitals at the end of July. Across Watford General, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans City hospitals, 7,793 patients were waiting for one of 13 standard tests, such as an MRI scan, non-obstetric ultrasound or gastroscopy at this time, of which 643 (eight per cent) had been waiting for at least six weeks.

But the data revealed that cancer patients at West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust are not being seen quickly enough, according to NHS targets.

Guidance states that 85 per cent of cancer patients with an urgent referral should start treatment within 62 days, although operational planning documents also state that hospitals should work towards 70 per cent by March 2025.

St Albans City Hospital is one of three run by the trust. (Image: Archant) Figures show just 69 per cent of cancer patients urgently referred to West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust in July began treatment within two months of their referral, down from both 74 per cent in June, and 70 per cent in July 2023.

The number of West Herts patients waiting for treatment had fallen in July from June, and on the same month last year. (Image: PA) A West Herts Trust spokesperson said: “We have made significant progress in cutting our waiting time for patients including for Accident and Emergency care, which has seen the trust rise by almost 100 places in national league tables in just two years. We are now one of the top 10 best performing in the country.  

“We’re sorry when any patient has to wait for treatment and are working hard to cut waiting times for treatment further. Our cancer services are meeting both the faster diagnosis standard and the 62-day wait target in May.

“And we are on track to eliminate 65-week waiting lists for planned operations by September 2024. More patients are being treated, more quickly and with better health outcomes.”