Recent NHS efficiency measures are showing positive results as the number of patients waiting for treatment in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes has fallen, according to newly published NHS England figures.
Local Hospital Waiting Lists See Promising Decline
Both major hospital trusts serving the local area have reported significant reductions in their waiting lists:
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Patient waiting numbers decreased from 100,092 in September 2024 to 98,711 in December 2024, a reduction of 1,381 patients (1.4%)
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: Waiting lists fell from 37,194 in September 2024 to 33,695 in December 2024, a substantial decrease of 3,499 patients (9.4%)
Dramatic Reduction for Longest-Waiting Patients
Even more impressive are the substantial drops in patients waiting the longest time (65 weeks or more):
- Bedfordshire Hospitals: Long-wait patients plummeted from 345 in September 2024 to just 17 in December 2024, an exceptional decrease of 328 patients (95.1%)
- Milton Keynes University Hospital: Long-wait patients dropped from 688 in September 2024 to 192 in December 2024, a significant reduction of 496 patients (72.1%)
Medical Leadership Celebrates Progress
Sarah Stanley, chief nursing director at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, commented on these achievements:
“The reduction in waiting lists is good news for local patients. I’m pleased to see these figures, which show that our local trusts are making progress on waiting lists in line with or faster than the national average, but we still have a lot more to do.
“The national standard is that nobody should wait longer than 18 weeks from referral to beginning their treatment. We have seen a steady fall over the last few months in the number of people waiting for NHS treatment, and everyone is working incredibly hard to maintain this progress through the winter months when services are busy.”
Nationwide Treatment Backlog Improvement
This local success reflects a broader national trend. Across England, the total number of patients waiting for treatment fell from 7,571,000 to 7,463,000 between September and December 2024, a decrease of 108,000 (1.4%).
These results demonstrate that focused efficiency strategies are beginning to make a real difference for patients, particularly those who have been waiting the longest for treatment.
Key Takeaways
- Local NHS improvement evident – Both Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes hospital trusts have reduced their overall waiting lists.
- Long-waiting patients see fastest progress – Patients waiting 65+ weeks have decreased by 95.1% at Bedfordshire Hospitals and 72.1% at Milton Keynes.
- Milton Keynes outperforms national average – The trust’s 9.4% reduction significantly outpaces the national average of 1.4%.
- Winter challenges navigated successfully – Despite seasonal pressures, trusts continue to reduce waiting times.
- Progress continues toward 18-week target – While improvements are encouraging, healthcare leaders acknowledge work remains to reach the national standard.
