Fewer patients waiting for routine treatment in city in February, despite the backlog rising nationally

The Nuffield Trust said the record size of the NHS waiting list across England shows the health service has been set back years by the coronavirus pandemic and now faces a “major backlog”.

NHS statistics show 18 patients were on the waiting list for non-urgent consultant-led treatment at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust at the end of February.

However, this was down from both 20 waiting at the end of January, and 22 in February 2020.

It contrasted with the picture across England, where 4.7 million people were waiting for treatment at this time – the highest number since records began in mid-2007.

This was up from 4.6 million in January, and means almost half a million patients have been added to the waiting list since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The Nuffield Trust said the strain of the backlog on patients should not be underestimated, but added it is no surprise given the intense pressure of Covid-19 hospitalisations.

Sarah Scobie, deputy director of research at the organisation, said healthcare staff have made huge sacrifices during the pandemic, but more will be asked of them.

She added: “It is clear that the NHS has been set back years as it faces a battle to clear these major backlogs of postponed care.

“Returning to the levels of activity seen before March last year will not be enough to meet demand, and we will continue to live with coronavirus for years to come.”

The number of people waiting at least a year for treatment across England has risen to 387,900 – the highest monthly figure since December 2007, and almost 250 times that of February 2020.

At Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trust, no patients had been waiting this long as of February.

The King’s Fund said long waiting times do not just affect patients, with concerns growing over access to community services and mental health provision.

David Maguire, senior analyst at the think-tank, said: “The Government needs to be honest with the public and start planning for long-term NHS recovery.

“A good place to start would be with a fully funded workforce strategy to address the persistent staff shortages that have dogged the service for years.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Government will ensure the NHS has the funds it needs to tackle the build-up in waiting lists.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said treating 400,000 patients with Covid-19 has “inevitably” impacted the NHS, but the dedication of staff means they delivered almost a million operations and procedures during the winter wave.