MPs welcome 13,000 fall in hospital waiting lists, praising NHS staff and government investment

New figures show that waiting lists at Staffordshire’s main hospitals have fallen by 13,393 since the general election, as NHS waiting lists continue to come down nationally despite record demand. The figures cover patients across Staffordshire, including those treated at County Hospital in Stafford and Royal Stoke University Hospital.

MPs Leigh Ingham and Gareth Snell have been working closely with staff at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust to support efforts to reduce waiting times, modernise hospital technology, and make sure local services are properly supported.

The progress locally reflects a wider national effort, driven by record investment, modernisation of the NHS, and the hard work of staff right across the country.

This includes the opening a state-of-the-art £9.8 million Day Case Unit in Stafford to help tackle waiting list backlogs and offer thousands more patients quicker access to day-case surgery. The Trust has also been using new technologies, like advanced robotic surgical systems, to treat more patients safely and efficiently.

Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, Eccleshall, and the villages, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the hardworking teams at County Hospital and Royal Stoke for their work reducing waiting lists. This progress has only been possible because of the dedication of local NHS staff who have worked tirelessly under huge pressure.

“The last Government left the NHS in a sorry state, with more than 7.6 million people stuck on waiting lists. This Labour Government has been laser focussed on fixing the NHS, with record investment, and has already delivered an extra five million appointments by June 2025.

Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, said: “A reduction of more than 13,000 people on the waiting list since the election is a hugely significant achievement, made possible through the combined commitment, leadership and investment from the Government, and the hard work, skill and determination of NHS staff at UHNM.

“The implementation of a state-of-the-art robotic system means that operations take less time and patients are able to recover more quickly, enabling clinicians to treat more patients and reduce waiting lists.

“There is still more to do, but these figures show that long waits are being tackled head‑on, and that meaningful progress is being delivered where it matters most: here on the ground.”

Dr Simon Constable, UHNM Chief Executive, said: “Our teams have delivered real progress but there is more to do. We remain absolutely committed to reducing waits further, prioritising those waiting longest and sustaining improvements for our communities in Staffordshire and Stoke‑on‑Trent.”

Both MPs stressed that while progress is being made, pressures on the NHS remain high, and reducing waiting times further will continue to be a priority.

Across England, waiting lists are now down by more than 312,000 since the election, even with more people coming forward for treatment. Ambulances are arriving quicker, GP satisfaction is up, and A and E waits are down too.

Ministers set a target of two million extra elective appointments in the first year, but between July 2024 and June 2025, the NHS delivered more than five million additional tests, procedures, and operations.