NHS waiting list down after three months of rises

"The NHS waiting list in England has fallen after three months of consecutive rises. At the end of September, it stood at 7.39 million, down from 7.41 million the month before. Of those waiting, 61.8% of patients had been waiting less than 18 weeks. That is the best performance for more than two years, but is well below the target of 92%, which the government has promised it will hit by the end of the parliament."

"The NHS also released figures showing more than one million people came forward for flu jabs in the past week after a vaccination "SOS" was issued last week amid the early rise in flu cases this year. Rates of flu are three times higher than there were at this stage last winter. Some 14.4 million people have been vaccinated, NHS England said, which is slightly more than had been vaccinated at this stage last year."

"NHS England medical director Prof Meghana Pandit said the drop in waiting lists was "fantastic news". But she said it looked set to be a difficult winter which would see the NHS stretched to its "limits". "Flu is peaking early and looking like it will be long lasting, while industrial action is starting on Friday." A five-day walkout by resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, begins at 07:00 GST on Friday."

NHS waiting list in England fell to 7.39 million in September, down from 7.41 million. Of those waiting, 61.8% had been waiting less than 18 weeks, the best performance in over two years but still well below the 92% target. More than one million people came forward for flu jabs after a vaccination 'SOS' as flu rates are three times higher than at this stage last winter. Some 14.4 million people have been vaccinated. Warnings point to a difficult winter with the NHS stretched to its 'limits' and a five-day resident doctors' walkout starting on Friday. Investment is credited with beginning recovery, but significant work remains.

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