Government meets pledge of 2 million extra NHS appointments, says PM

The UK government has fulfilled a major election promise by delivering over two million additional NHS appointments in England within its first year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced. The milestone, achieved between July and November 2024, marks a significant step in the government’s commitment to reducing waiting times and improving healthcare access.
According to government data, nearly 2.2 million more elective care appointments took place during this period compared to the same months in 2023. However, these figures were recorded during a time when doctor strikes had reduced appointment availability, potentially affecting overall numbers.

Sir Keir Starmer described the achievement as a “shot in the arm” for the government’s efforts to revamp the NHS and cut delays in treatment. NHS England chief Amanda Pritchard acknowledged the progress but stressed that much more work was needed to bring waiting times down further.
Expanding NHS capacity by two million additional operations, procedures, and appointments annually was a key Labour manifesto pledge. The government attributes this achievement to extended evening and weekend working hours, which helped accommodate more patients outside of traditional schedules.

Elective care includes a wide range of planned, non-emergency services, such as diagnostic tests, outpatient consultations, surgeries, and cancer treatments.
Official figures show that 31.3 million operations, appointments, and tests took place between July and November 2024, compared to 29.1 million in the same period the previous year. The government was keen to highlight that this commitment had been met seven months ahead of schedule. The long-term impact of this increase will be closely monitored over the coming months to ensure the trend continues through to July 2025, marking a full year since the election.
Despite the achievement, challenges remain within the NHS. The government has pledged an additional £40 million in funding for trusts that make the most progress in reducing waiting lists. Hospitals meeting these targets will be eligible to receive the funds from next year, with the money allocated for capital projects aimed at further improving patient care.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated that the NHS was “on the road to recovery,” citing a reduction of around 160,000 patients on waiting lists since Labour took office in July 2024. NHS England data from last week showed a continued decline in waiting lists, with the number of people awaiting treatment falling for the fourth consecutive month to its lowest level since April 2023.
The government’s progress on NHS reform comes as a new report by the King’s Fund think tank highlights inefficiencies in the healthcare system. A survey of more than 1,600 patients revealed that one in five received appointment letters after the scheduled date, while nearly a quarter were unsure who to contact while waiting for care.

Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan criticized the government’s handling of social care, warning that hospitals would remain overwhelmed until social care services were adequately addressed. She emphasized that patients continue to bear the consequences of delays and inefficiencies.
While the government has defended its approach to NHS reforms, long-term plans for adult social care funding are unlikely to be implemented before 2028, leaving a key aspect of healthcare policy unresolved.