More than a million people across England are stuck waiting for vital community health services, threatening the government's ambitious plans to deliver care closer to home, a major new study has warned.
The sobering figures from the Nuffield Trust show that 1.2 million patients are currently waiting for community health support as of March 2024 – from physiotherapy sessions that could prevent falls to mental health interventions that keep families together. What's particularly concerning is how long people are waiting: the typical wait has more than doubled from 24 days in 2019 to 53 days today.
This matters because community services like these are meant to be the backbone of the NHS's new approach to healthcare. The idea is simple but powerful: treat people in their local neighbourhoods before they become seriously unwell, reducing the crushing demand on our hospital emergency departments whilst giving patients better, more joined-up care.
The 'neighbourhood health' model championed by the Department of Health and Social Care envisions local teams working seamlessly across health and social care boundaries. However, the Nuffield Trust warns that lengthy delays for initial assessments and treatments could derail these well-intentioned plans. When patients can't access early intervention, their conditions often deteriorate – ultimately requiring the very hospital-based care this policy aims to prevent.
The challenge falls largely to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), the statutory bodies established in July 2022 to plan and commission local health services. These organisations are tasked with turning the neighbourhood care vision into reality whilst simultaneously tackling existing backlogs and rising demand – a formidable balancing act.
The Labour Party's health spokesperson highlighted the urgent need for investment in primary and community care, arguing that current government approaches fail to address the root causes of NHS backlogs. They emphasised that a comprehensive plan for community services is essential to reduce hospital pressures and ensure patients receive timely care.
For patients and families, the message is clear: the promise of convenient, preventative care on your doorstep remains frustratingly out of reach. Without significant improvements in community service capacity and speed, people may continue to see their health decline whilst waiting for support – potentially creating even greater pressure on our already stretched hospital system.
Source: Nuffield Trust