NHS waiting list rises for third month in row
NHS waiting list rises for third month in row
Numbers waiting for treatment hit 7.41 million in England at the end of August.
Read the full article on BBC Health
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article's main claim about rising NHS waiting lists is supported by multiple sources, although the specific timeframe (third month in a row) has conflicting dates across sources. There is a moderate bias due to the selection of information and framing of the issue, particularly the use of political commentary from sources like The Sun.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: NHS waiting list rises for third month in a row.
- Verification Source #1: Confirms NHS waiting lists rising for a third month in a row as of August 8, 2024.
- Verification Source #2: Confirms NHS waiting lists rose for the third month in a row in June as of August 8, 2024.
- Verification Source #3: Contradicts the 'third month' claim, stating waiting lists rose for the second month in a row as of September 15, 2025.
- Verification Source #4: Confirms NHS waiting lists rose for the third month in a row in June as of August 8, 2024.
- Assessment: Mixed. While multiple sources confirm a rise in waiting lists, the specific timeframe (third month) is contradicted by Source 3 and has conflicting dates (June vs unspecified) across sources. The dates (2024 vs 2025) also conflict.
- Claim: Numbers waiting for treatment hit 7.41 million in England at the end of August.
- Verification Source #4: Mentions the waiting list fell from 7.77m in September to 7.54m in February and has since risen again, but does not specify the 7.41 million figure for August.
- Assessment: Unverified. None of the provided sources directly confirm the 7.41 million figure for August. Source 4 provides related figures but not the specific number.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 3: 'NHS waiting lists have risen for the second month in a row, according to the latest NHS performance statistics.'
- Source 2: 'NHS waiting lists rose for the third month in a row in June as new Health Secretary Wes Streeting said “it will take time to turn it around”'