New NHS data shows thousands are currently waiting for NHS treatment in the North East hospitals - with more than 90,000 patients on Newcastle Hospital's list alone - but health service figures think our region is in a better position to recover quickly than most.
According to NHS England figures, waiting lists across the North East remained substantial but stable despite the beginning of Omicron pressures in December.
Gateshead, Newcastle and Northumbria NHS Trusts all reported small increases in their lists, with the South Tyneside and Sunderland and County Durham and Darlington Trusts showing marginal falls in the numbers waiting for treatment.
