Around one in five adults report they have been waiting for hospital treatment, tests or to start medical treatment on the NHS, according to official data.
However disabled people, those with depressive mental health symptoms, the economically inactive and older people were the worst affected.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data which covers November 2022 to February 2023 revealed the figure comprised 14% who persistently reported these issues and 7% who reported this in the latest period only.
A further 7% reported they were waiting in the previous period, but were no longer waiting in the latest period.
But the data also showed certain groups were significantly more likely on average among all adults to report these issues.
These groups include:
- Disabled people (31% persistently reported issues, 10% reported in the latest period only and 13% reported in the previous period only)
- People experiencing moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (25% persistently reported issues, 10% reported in the latest period only and 12% reported in the previous period only)
- People who were economically inactive for reasons other than being retired (23% persistently reported issues, 9% reported this in the latest period only and 10% reported this in the previous period only)
- People aged 65 years or over (19% persistently reported issues, 11% reported in the latest period only and 8% reported in the previous period only)
- Retired people (18% persistently reported issues, 10% reported in the latest period only and 8% reported in the previous period only)
Brett Hill, head of health and protection at Broadstone, (pictured) said: “As the NHS waiting list continues to swell, it is little surprise to see such a persistently high proportion of adults reporting delays to appointments and treatment.
“The deteriorating health of the nation will inevitably cause ripples that will impact other areas of our day-to-day lives. The growth in economic inactivity because of long-term sickness and knock-on consequences for employers facing staff shortages are one such immediate problem we must grapple with.”
He noted that demand for private treatment was accelerating because the assumption that the public health service could guarantee our health no longer held for the short- to medium-term.
“It leaves a vacuum that must be filled financially either by further vast investment in the NHS to tackle the current issues or by proactive steps from businesses to safeguard their most important assets – workers,” Hill continued.
“Measures like implementing digital GP services and the provision of private medical insurance can help employees access treatment quickly and affordably, ensuring they can get on with their careers and personal lives.
“These are the urgent initiatives that are now a necessity for businesses and their employees to thrive.”
