The number of patients waiting over a year for hospital treatment in Oxfordshire has nearly DOUBLED since January 2023

The number of patients waiting over a year for hospital treatment in Oxfordshire has nearly DOUBLED since January 2023

- Rishi Sunak pledged to cut NHS waiting lists in January 2023; since then they have risen by 8,569 patients in Oxfordshire

- Waiting lists at Oxford University Hospitals now stand at 80,286 after Conservative party has slashed real-terms NHS funding by billions

- Lib Dems call for a reversal to NHS spending cuts that are leaving local health services overstretched

NHS waiting lists in Oxfordshire have hit 80,286 up from 71,717 when Rishi Sunak made his pledge to cut them at the start of last year. Oxfordshire Lib Dems have called for the government to reverse its NHS spending cuts. 

NHS data also reveals that the number waiting over a year for treatment has risen by 97% since Sunak made his waiting lists pledge to 3,351. 

It comes as the Conservative government slashes funding for the NHS despite waiting lists growing compared to last year. The Autumn Statement revealed that the NHS budget has been cut by £3.5 billion (2.1%) in real terms this year, and is set to fall by another £1.3 billion (0.8%) next year.

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats are calling on the Conservative government to reverse the NHS spending cuts and invest in fixing local hospitals, hiring more staff and ensuring patients get the treatment they deserve.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bicester & Woodstock, Calum Miller said:

“These shocking figures show far too many people in our area are being left waiting in pain and discomfort for treatment. It’s shameful that, under the Conservatives, nearly twice as many people in Oxfordshire are now waiting over a year for the hospital treatment they need.

One year on from when Rishi Sunak promised that waiting lists would fall, the numbers are rising not falling. More than 80,000 people across Oxfordshire are now stuck on waiting lists. The number waiting over a year for treatment has increased 97% since January 2023. Patients are being forced to put their lives on hold, often unable to work.

“Instead of investing in the NHS and supporting our hardworking doctors and nurses, the government is set to do the unthinkable and slash NHS funding even further. Every week, I speak to residents who tell me they can’t get an appointment or have been waiting months for treatment. Our local health services are in crisis but Conservative ministers either don’t get it or don’t care.

“The Conservative Party cannot be trusted with the NHS. We need a general election now so voters in Bicester and Woodstock can finally get rid of this out-of-touch Conservative government and elect a Liberal Democrat MP who will stand up for local health services.”