Data from NHS England has shown that University Hospitals Sussex is responsible for 21.4 per cent of the number of people waiting a year and a half for pre-planned hospital treatment, totalling 579 patients.
The trust runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital, the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, Worthing Hospital, the Princess Royal Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital, the Sussex Eye Hospital and Southlands Hospital.
This is the highest proportion in the country, with the next highest being Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with 162 patients – 6.2 per cent of the total number.
Nationally, 2,703 patients had been waiting at least a year and a half to begin hospital treatment, as of the end of September.
University Hospitals Sussex also tops the list for the highest number of patients waiting at least a year to start treatment, with 10,976 – 4.4 per cent of the national total of 249,343.
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The trust says that it is aware of the issue but has been working to tackle it.
A spokesman for University Hospitals Sussex said: “As one of the largest trusts in the country, operating seven hospitals across Sussex, we recognise the magnitude of our waiting list challenges and know too many people are waiting too long for their care. However, we have responded with significant measures to improve this.
“Our dedicated staff have delivered additional clinics, making the most use of community diagnostic centres, and have improved processes, resulting in our waiting lists falling faster than nearly any other trust in the country.
“The ongoing focus of our staff, and our system partners, is clear, and we will keep working at this pace to help make sure people receive safe, high-quality care as soon as is possible.”
Nine NHS trusts account for over half of the total number of patients waiting at least a year and a half for treatment, all of which are in southern or eastern England.
These include:
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
- Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
- Milton Keynes University Hospital.
- Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust.
- Barts Health NHS Trust.
- Guy’s & St Thomas’.
- King’s College Hospital.
- Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust.
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