116,000 people waiting more than a year for basic NHS care

• The hospital treatment waiting list in England rose to 7.38 million treatments at the end of September, reaching its highest level in nearly a year.
• More than 116,000 people were waiting over a year for routine care, missing the government and NHS England target to reduce long waits to below one per cent.
• The proportion of patients starting hospital treatment within 18 weeks rose to 65.8 per cent, surpassing the target set for earlier this year.
• Health Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that NHS pressures will increase ahead of winter, announcing a £40 million GP initiative to support frail and elderly patients.
• A report by the Institute for Government has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to abandon the target of treating 92 per cent of patients within 18 weeks by 2029.

IN FULL

NHS hospital waiting lists reach highest level in nearly a year