Clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic Our response to the Health and Social Care Select Committee's inquiry

Our evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee's inquiry on clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic.

While the NHS delivered a remarkable amount of elective treatment during the pandemic, the pressure of caring for large numbers of patients seriously unwell with COVID-19 has led to the waiting list for elective care reaching the highest level since current records began.

Given the scale of the backlog, recovery to pre-pandemic levels will take several years, and we therefore welcome the Committee’s inquiry and it's scope to look beyond the short-term.

In our submission to this inquiry, we set out the Health Foundation’s assessment of the key issues related to the elective care backlog in the NHS, with reference to new and already published analysis. We also provide new modelling on what it may cost to clear the elective care backlog.