Sunak’s waiting list pledge ‘downgraded’ as NHS is told to control costs

The NHS has now been asked by the government to focus on urgent and emergency care and patient safety rather than on reducing waiting times. Photograph: James Veysey/Shutterstock

Rishi Sunak’s pledge to slash NHS waiting lists has effectively been downgraded, the Observer has been told, amid an increase in the number of patients in England waiting longer than 18 months for treatment.

Hospital leaders are warning that morale is low, staff absences are high, and funds for new equipment and repairs are having to be raided ahead of winter. They have now been told to prioritise controlling costs in favour of some of the extra work being done towards the prime minister’s pledge to bring down waits.