NHS Faces Waiting List Of 7.2m After Covid Crisis Due To Shortage Of Drugs

The NHS could face a waiting list of more than seven million patients due to the Covid-19 crisis.

- Steph Spyro

Many hospitals will struggle to return to full capacity for routine operations because of supply problems, doctors warned.

Delays could pile up because of anaesthetic drug shortages, it was said.

A number of operating theatres in the South-west are believed to be short of common anaesthetics following high demands in intensive units during the virus’s peak over Easter.

One doctor, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “If anything the situation has got worse in our hospitals.

“We are nowhere near a return to full capacity, and many other hospitals are in a similar situation.”

The Royal College of Anaesthetists has developed a strategy to restart planned surgeries. But it warned this will only be done once “sufficient anaesthetic and critical care drug stocks have been secured”.

Neglected

Medics have said resuming normal activity will be a major challenge for the NHS.

One doctor said: “In addition to anaesthetic shortages in theatre, everything has to be done in PPE, and the PPE stocks are critically low.