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Thousands Missed on NHS ENT Waiting List
3 Aug
Summary
- Nearly 9,000 patients were missing from an ENT waiting list.
- Problems with the ENT service were known since 2020.
- NHS called missed opportunities to act earlier 'inexcusable'.
An extensive NHS review has uncovered that leadership was aware of significant problems within an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) service for years. This awareness predates the recent discovery that a staggering 8,849 patients were omitted from the official waiting list at Darent Valley Hospital.
The review indicated that concerns regarding the ENT service were formally documented as early as 2020. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest these critical issues were adequately addressed or acted upon by the responsible parties.
An official statement from NHS England acknowledged the gravity of the situation. A spokesperson stated that the missed opportunities to implement timely interventions and prevent unnecessary patient waits are entirely inexcusable, underscoring a serious failure in oversight and patient management.
