Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Deferred
Multiple factors contribute to rising elective care demand and capacity shortfalls
Conclusion
We also received written submissions from a range of individuals and organisations including clinicians and academics, royal colleges representing medical disciplines, care providers, think tanks and charitable organisations. A full list of the written evidence we received is available on the inquiry page of the Committee’s website.11 Particular issues and concerns drawn to our attention included: • demand for elective care is increasing, placing pressure on waiting lists, due to both an ageing population and other social and economic factors contributing to ill health; • there is a shortfall in capacity due to the under-resourcing of specialist care and high competition for specialty training; • discussion on elective care has focused more on hospital care and more focus on community-based care may be necessary; • research suggests that there are regional inequalities in waiting times for elective care and diagnosis; • ageing digital infrastructure can cause delays and constrain productivity; and 6 Letter from the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Health and Social Care, 10 September 2025 7 C&AG’s Report, para 2; 2.13 8 Letter from the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Health and Social Care, 10 September 2025 9 C&AG’s Report, para 2 10 C&AG’s Report, para 11 11 Committee of Public Accounts, Reducing NHS waiting times for elective care written evidence 7 • long waits for elective care can negatively affect patient and staff wellbeing and safety. Progress against elective care waiting time targets
Government Response Summary
The government's response is entirely off-topic, detailing actions related to illegal meat imports, thereby failing to address the Public Accounts Committee's concerns regarding NHS elective care waiting times.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. government response to the recent EFRA Select Committee report ‘Britain’s illegal meat crisis’. Biosecurity at the border: Britain's illegal meat crisis: Government Response The department has noted calls to do more to educate travellers about the consequences of bringing illegal food products into the United Kingdom. In recent months, it has worked with travel operators and other government departments to step up communications informing travellers of the restrictions on personal imports of food products, including via GOV.UK, posters and social media channels. This includes the reasons for the restrictions and the consequences of non-compliance. The department’s communications team conducts regular surveys to assess awareness of its public communications. The department is focussing on developing its relationship with Dover Port Health Authority and establishing a revised strategic approach to the issue of illegal meat imports via the Short Straits. As part of this, the department will draw on the expertise of the operational staff at Dover to better understand the seizure data. The department is now actively considering increases to the funding for Dover Port Health Authority to improve operational coverage to tackle illegal meat imports. Funding decisions will take account of preventing the costs of major disease outbreaks. Border Force is funded by the Home Office. APHA sought views and opinions from relevant experts in 2025, to improve estimates of illegal meat imports. It aims to publish details of the new methodology in early 2026 with data analysis to follow at the end of 2026.