On the NHS's birthday, MP Rayner urges Government to act on treatment waiting lists

As the NHS celebrates its 73rd birthday, Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner is calling on the Government to take immediate action to help the thousands of people waiting for vital treatment across Oldham and Tameside.

New research shows that just 29.5% of patients are starting cancer treatment within two months of an urgent GP referral in Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (which includes the Royal Oldham Hospital).

In Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, the figure is 49.5%.

The operational standard is at least 85%.

Within the Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust, only 70.5% of patients are being seen within four hours at A&E.

Within Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, that figure is 77%.

The target is 95%.

Only 75.8% of patients are waiting 18 weeks or less to start routine NHS treatment in Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and 60.5% within Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The operational standard is 92%.

There are 57,735 patients waiting to start routine NHS treatment in Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and 15,036 patients on the waiting list in Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The research comes as Labour MPs pushed Ministers for an NHS recovery plan that would include action to bring down waiting lists.

On the 73rd anniversary of the creation of the NHS, Labour MPs highlighted that there are now over five million people now on the waiting list for NHS treatment, and pointed to the 'shocking failure' that left the NHS struggling with growing waiting lists, high staff vacancies, crumbling NHS buildings and without the diagnostic machines needed to cope with demand.

Labour’s demands include

· A quarterly plan from ministers on action being taken to bring down waiting lists and to meet national waiting times standards

· A NHS rescue plan to ensure the NHS has the staff and modern equipment to deliver the cancer care, surgery and mental health care patients deserve.

· A commitment to strengthen the NHS constitution to eliminate waits over 52-weeks and offer a cast iron guarantee

· A fair pay rise for NHS staff

Ms Rayner, Labour’s Deputy Leader, said: “Over a decade of underfunding our NHS has left constituents in Oldham and Tameside waiting too long for treatment.

“73 years ago, a Labour Government created the NHS.

"The introduction of the NHS completely transformed people’s lives, giving access to world-class healthcare to all, regardless of their ability to pay.

“Eleven years of Tory Government has seen waiting lists rise to their highest on record, beds cut and thousands of vacancies leaving NHS staff exhausted and overstretched.

"We thank the phenomenal NHS staff who have delivered lifesaving work, even in the toughest times.

“Which is why, this weekend, we have celebrated Labour’s creation of the NHS, but we also campaign for a NHS rescue plan, to bring down the spiralling waiting lists, ensure more people can access cancer treatment sooner and ensure people receive the cancer care they need.

"Ignoring the crisis now facing our NHS puts patients’ lives at risk.

“Tory Ministers are cutting the pay of our nurses at the very same time as handing out cushy jobs to their mates, who are being paid 14 times what a nurse earns.

"Let's sack the Tory cronies and give our nurses a pay rise instead.”

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