Waiting list claim is ‘rubbish’

HEALTH Secretary Matt Hancock has dismissed reports of a “hidden waiting list” of 15 million patients needing appointments.

Healthcare firm Medefer sent freedom of information requests to NHS trusts asking how many patients need a follow-up appointment.

Responses from one in seven trusts in England were used to estimate the staggering national figure. But Mr Hancock said: “I’ve looked into this research and it is total rubbish. It is actually a count of the total number of appointments. If you have an appointment, that is not because you’re on a waiting list, it is because you are going to see someone in the NHS.”