Q: What does 6,366,070
people queuing for nhs treatment look like?

Constant pain and loss of mobility.

It's causing frustration and anxiety. We need to train more staff.

The Government needs to find a way to reduce the list.

The delay has resulted in me becoming more of a recluse and never wanting to got out

This has impacted me with uncertainty, stress, suspected sepsis.

It means I dont know what is causing my problems, leading back to having Covid last year

A large percentage of us cannot afford private care and we matter just as much as those who can

I'm waiting for injections in my back. I'm in chronic pain and injections do help for a short while. However, I can't get to see a doctor.

I had to retire from my role as a midwife and was forced to take full retirement.

I have a painful on going skin problem that the GP hasn't been able to resolve. Been waiting since January for a Dermatology appointment.

The delay means my mental health has gotten worse, and without the care I need I'm experiencing hostility and concerns for my safety in my college.

I can't hear anything even the hearing aids are not helping, I've had ear infection for two and a half years.

I need a knee replacement to replace a knee replacement that only lasted 7 years, and my knee is now bowed which makes my back bent.

I waited for a procedure which took so long to book.

My sleep is adversely affected as the pain wakes me up several times a night.

The delay has made day to day life incredibly hard and uncomfortable

It has caused me difficulty in getting to sleep by causing a persistent cough as soon as I lay down.

Had to give up work and I am in pain most of the time.

The delay has impacted my quality of life, having to adjust certain areas of life. Feeling older than my years with difficult symptoms.

I've been left in limbo without up to date symptom management.

Not only has it stopped me from enjoying the things I normally do. It's also affected my mental health and wellbeing.

I need treatment and without it I am still suffering.

It affects me daily

I find it difficult to arrange overseas travel in case of treatment being offered.

The delay is affecting me mentally and emotionally, and especially physically.

The delay is causing absolute misery

I should have started radiotherapy back in May.

I have trouble walking. Give the NHS what it needs

I am waiting for a right hip replacement. I was put on the list 12 months ago. In that time my pain has increased & my mobility decreased.

I had to go privately costing over £6000 for 2 cataract operations.as her eyesight was deteriorating quickly.

The delay has caused constant pain and broken sleep. Invest in the NHS.

I feel no one cares about my condition...I suffered with my back I have 2 slipped discs in my spine and spinal stenosis.

I have been waiting over a year for surgery. Just pay the staff what they deserve.

The delay in being unable to get treatment means my condition is getting worse, also I need dental treatment but can't access a NHS dentist.

The delay means I have lost mobility

Hardly any face-to-face appointments, since Covid, it has been a total disgrace.

I'm well except that without treatment I could end up Quadriplegic! Therefore I cant do certain things without taking a risk

Can’t drive. Can’t walk far. Can’t garden. Can’t sleep. Can’t play with grandkids. Can’t walk dogs.

The delay has left me with worried and anxious.

My hip hurts and I need to take tablets for the pain. Now my knee, on the same leg, is having problems! So instead of one problem I now have 2!

It's made me worry that if it starts to cause pain I will have to pay to get seen privately.

My sight has deteriorated while I have been waiting and there is no point getting new glasses until my surgery is done

Pain! I virtually never go out and I'm very depressed.

I have knee pain so can be quite debilitating at times

I am worried because I have advancing glaucoma. Without regular treatment, I could lose my sight.

I have chronic Obstructive Sleep Apnoea which adversely affects my sleep and increases the risks of life-threatening conditions.

Rheumatoid check ups and drug management tests used to be six monthly but it is nearly a year now and still no appointment

I have been waiting for a consultation - my condition is worse so it's difficult to go about my day now.

It's affected my daily routine and lifestyle. We need to speed up recruitment at all levels and put the appropriate funding in place

It's to do with my heart as I have atrial fibrillation. Put more money into the NHS for more doctors and nurses

It has restricted my mobility.

M condition has significantly worsened. I am in constant pain and unable to carry out many routine tasks like cutting up my own food.

I had to wait 1 year 6 months to get a diagnosis. I ended up losing so much weight, which is affecting my life and work.

I am in danger of having falls. We need to put more money into the NHS

Living in limbo not knowing if your going to survive the waiting.

Frustrated, painful, sleepless nights, unable to walk, so many hurdles including Covid.

There’s a few things I’ve waited or am still waiting on. It took a couple of years to get some important tooth work done

I have sleep apnea which is getting worse while I wait for treatment.

I'm physically ok, but my mental health has suffered & it’s been a nightmare for family and friends.

Not good at all. My life is on hold and been told 2025 before I see someone

It has been hard living with constant dizziness and a chronic cough

I am a widower and live alone so this operation is vital for me as the wait is affecting my life.

I'm living in 24/7 pain with osteo-artheritis / cartilege

The delay is leaving me undiagnosed and suffering

I have COPD and have waited to see the respiratory team.

Its completely changed my life.

I've been having sleep apnea and have developed asthma so I'm reliant on inhalers while waiting.

I'm waiting for a hip replacement. My mobility is limited and I'm in pain 24/7. Too many people are suffering for a long time, and even dying.

It has meant I can't do my job. I'm a driver so I need to be tested by a specialist to say I'm fit to drive. Just fund the NHS properly.

I'm anxious, depressed and frustrated

The delay has caused a failed left hip. Just talk to the staff and help them.

I have a severely arthritic knee and it is getting worse. I can no longer walk far and have had to give up cycling and exercise classes.

I've now been waiting nearly an entire year for an expensive, life-interrupting operation to fix my arm. This has damaged my life greatly.

I'm still unwell, isolated at home and unable to have normal life.

I am in lots of pain and this is affecting my mental health. I am also having issues with DWP because of this.

The wait has caused depression, anxieties, and further psychological harm. I have had to enter debt to pay for private treatments. Fund the NHS.

The worry about the PSA test is high and I am concerned that no medic has reviewed me

The wait has been stressful and painful. Why are we not being seen at the right time? Give more to the NHS and its staff.

I have pain which could perhaps be alleviated with treatment. Pay doctors and nurses a proper rate for the job to discourage them going elsewhere.

I have lockjaw and cannot eat or speak properly. Take the nation's health more seriously. Stop pretending to care about the NHS and fund it properly.

I am housebound in a wheelchair until I get the knee replacement I need.

I'm in constant pain and unable to do many tasks at home, so putting pressure on my wife who needs to work full time for our family.

It has affected me deeply, causing well over a year and half of high anxiety, due to worsening symptoms that doctors struggled to diagnose.

I lost two summers as I waited for an operation that was supposed to happen within six weeks of a pre-op assessment. It ended up being over 12 months

My quality of life has been greatly affected

Cataracts are getting worse - vision in left eye is now very poor!

An indication of how long I have to wait would be nice. I am in discomfort and losing sleep over this.

I've been in pain. We need to put a lot more money into the NHS

I have worse mental health and my health problem is worsening. Give the NHS what they need to get back to normal.

I've not been allowed to drive as waiting for cardiology appointment

I am waiting for trauma therapy to deal with my CPTSD. I am currently unable to work and am living alone and am getting zero support.

I am waiting to see my Rheumatologist referred in January, they hope to see me in March next year!

Possible recurrence of problem in kidney function due to kidney stone. This almost killed me in March this year, when I developed sepsis.

It's made me depressed. The government need to sit down with doctors and nurses and ask what they need.

I am on waiting list for ADHD diagnosis, this delay is causing huge problems as I am unable to access any support until I am diagnosed officially.

I can't work until my medical problems are bought under control. I am trapped.

I am waiting for 4 different procedures so I know it will be long. The Government must attract many more staff urgently, and build more hospitals.

I've had this issue for more than a year. I am in pain and discomfort

I am waiting for a treatment to slow down the progression of a life-threatening disease. It makes me anxious.

I am very anxious. I have skin cancer and cannot get routine treatment to have it removed. I've been told maybe not until after April 2024.

I get up through the night, 3-9 times. I’m worn out with lack of quality sleep. I still have to work full-time at 70 and it just gets harder.

I don't know what is causing my symptoms so it's affecting me.

My health has deteriorated

Every step I take is painful now.

We have been told that podiatry appointments are on hold for now, but have been waiting since last November

I'm waiting for a rotator cuff injection including x-ray.

Absolutely devastating on my quality of life.

It has made me feel very depressed as l feel l have a poor quality of life.

I'm suffering from extreme pain, which is getting worse. I'm no longer able to walk outside the house.

I'm waiting for cancer treatment and I'm petrified.

The condition has got worse and more painful. Negotiate a sensible pay deal for all NHS staff.

Living in constant agony, years going past that especially the elderly can never get back. Cant do hobbies, or anything requiring a physical effort.

I have difficulty getting out of bed and dressing, the pain killers have shocking side effects and the less I can do the less mobile I become

My illness is getting worse and my conditions getting worse.

It's very painful at times. This affects my sleep, eating and mental health.

I waited 10 months to see a cardiologist after being referred. Specialist said I needed a heart scan which I am still waiting for 8 months after.

The delay has left me with worse pain although I'm already in chronic pain

The delay means I find it hard to walk.

After several months I was asked if I would like to go to another hospital which could be anything from 5 to 100 miles away

I am in constant pain. We need to properly fund the NHS now.

It has spoiled my old age

The delay has caused suffering and a lot of pain.

Yes, now have other mobility problems due to waiting for surgery and have needed time off work.

I need both knees replaced, my confidence is shot and struggling mentally, really for the first time in my life. I'm isolated in my own home.

Quite debilitating hip pain which has worsened dramatically in the wait time. It affects my mobility, sleep and consequently my enjoyment of life.

I need a consultant to figure out what the issue is. I have no idea if this is now my new "stable" or if my condition is going to worsen.

My condition has worsened, I am struggling to walk or swim so I am losing out on exercise and fresh air.

We need more training, more money, more staff. It's not rocket science

I still don't know what is wrong with me or what treatment I need.

18 weeks for a CT scan. Worry in not knowing what is causing left side chest pain.

The delay has left me with a restricted life

I can't see well enough to be able to legally drive.

It's caused me stress and complications.

My mobility is in a negatively affected.

My career has now ended yet had the treatment been available I might have been well enough to work a few more years.

Been on a waiting list for dermatology since July, my most significantly years are put on hold waiting for surgery.

The delay has affected my day to day living

It is a constant irritation every day.

I'm finding it difficult to sleep and I'm in discomfort throughout the day, which is affecting how much I can walk.

I have been waiting for my mastectomy and breast reduction to be completed for five years. I feel let down mentally and physically.

Waiting for an operation to remove a lump on my hand and told it could be 65 weeks. Give the NHS more money and settle pay claims with the staff.

I have been waiting 6 months for hearing aids. I can't hear and I feel isolated because of this.

Two years ago with I had eye, teeth and back problems. When I have contacted my GP it took weeks to get an appointment. I am now housebound.

I have already had to consult a private knee surgeon and had to move to a ground floor flat cause of this issue. Pay the staff and stop them leaving.

Been brought to a standstill.

I get recurring infections held back with antibiotics and sometimes have chronic pain so bad that I am sick.

Unable to go out and enjoy our life

I twisted my knee on the 4th August, my knee is still painful, still taking painkillers, not sleeping well and my mobility has been greatly reduced.

It made life difficult as unable to use one hand properly. Had a lot of pain.

Am in excruciating pain has affected me badly in my daily life. Put more money into the NHS.

It's depressing

My symptoms have gotten worse.

I was a very active person, now can barely walk or do physical exercise. I am languishing and less likely to live long, as I am deprived of exercise.

Pain above the hernia so have be careful what I do - my condition is getting worse with more being added on.

I am now quite worried that I won't be seen in a timely fashion which could lead to more problems.

On a day to day basis I can't urinate.

I'm in pain all the time, which affects my every day life.

I have to wear adult nappies 24/7

I paid £175 to see the same doctor that had cancelled me in an attempt to bring my "urgent" treatment forward, but didn't happen.

The delay has had a massive effect on my mental health and caused long term health problems.

My condition has become worse. My mobility has been affected and it is very painful for me to walk even a short distance

I am limited in how far I can walk. This has led to a deterioration in my physical health and has an impact on my fragile mental health.

Imposed disability prevents me from leading a normal life and prevents me from doing what I really want to do.

I have not been able to work since November last year as I need a new knee. I was forced out of my home and can't afford private renting.

I was and still am on expensive drugs that may even be unnecessary.

Pain, lack of sleep, nausea, tingling, numbness, extreme fatigue. It has prevented work, self care, housework. It has caused depression.

I've been unable to exercise, had disturbed sleep and digestive problems. I have had to cancel a holiday, reduce my voluntary work and social life.

My quality of life has been impacted. I can't walk far, climb stairs or even put my left sock on.

Have an almost useless hand. Not helpful when I live alone and have other health issues.

I worry about what may be wrong

My wait for a heart operation causes anxiety that makes separate breathing problem worse.

It's made me depressed that I can't get help with my problem.

I have had to spend money on expensive medication to alleviate the problem while I wait.

I have a cyst in my stomach area, which is very painful on a daily basis.

I am unable to apply pressure with my left hand and being a potter this restricts what I make.

Because of hip pain have had to give up part time care work.

I am stuck with the issue that needs surgical correction. I can't plan travel or move jobs in case it messes with a surgery date.

I've been diagnosed with Parkinson's and I've been waiting 4 weeks for a non urgent appointment and could still have another 10 weeks.

Affected my daily activitues like restricting walking and doing any exercise due to a prolapse.

The delay has made day to day life very uncomfortable

It's left me with excruciating pain in my left arm and hip.

Urgent back surgery cancelled twice, so as a pensioner I had to pay privately, impacting hugely on my finances

I have limited activity. The people in charge must resign.

The delay has given me poor quality of life

I have deteriorated mentally and physically. I feel written off, that my life isn't worth anything.

I need a consultation but it’s been cancelled twice for a potential Parkinson’s diagnosis'.

Acute respiritory issue left undiagnosed awaiting spirometry test, leaving me in a dibilitating condition. Provide more resources for testing.

I am 69 years old. A heart condition is affecting my quality of life. If I have to wait a year, that could be 20% of my remaining life span.

I was a victim of an armed robbery. I have been waiting to see a psychotherapist and trauma therapist. I now have PTSD and a panic disorder.

I am in pain constantly.

I have a date for an operation, which had been put back again. I am self-employed so I cannot accept any work for the period after my operation.

Nerve & muscle issues from scoliosis are worse so I have to take more painkillers. Give the NHS the money it needs.

I have acute pancreatitis I am also diabetic been waiting 2 months for treatment, I am in increasing pain.

It's restricted my mobility and made me depressed. They need to build the promised hospitals and pay doctors and nurses a better salary

I have suffered dizzy spells, a few falls, nausea which should be controlled by medication.

I have had difficulty in seeing in my left eye while waiting for this treatment.

It's causing me pain and has reduced my quality of life.

I am in pain every day so much so I spend most of my day lying down

I am now having to use wheelchair, four years of my life lost.

It's causing me depression and pain.

Severely restricted weight bearing activity for 8 months whilst waiting for a diagnosis has heavily impacted me both physically and emotionally.

I am waiting to get a cancer removed. We need to put more money into the NHS to get waiting lists down!

I had to make a lot of phone calls to get permission for my optician to do my sight test.

I have become immobile, unable to drive, and trapped in my home. I am angry and depressed and have no quality of life.

I now have to walk with a stick as the pain in my hip is so bad.

A great deal of pain and limited mobility due to spinal damage, have been told that I will not have the procedure until jan/Feb 24

Issues with my bowels that impact my daily life.

I have learned to live with the problem.

I was told I would have to wait a year. So far it's been six months

I have major mobility issues and pain.

It’s causing inactivity as I am unable to undertake many physical tasks. It affects too many normal activities, which lends to worry and depression.

I am in chronic pain day and night, and now very limited mobility which affects my life on a daily basis.

I have a hiatus hernia and it affects my breathing badly. It's getting worse and affecting my everyday life. My food and drinks get stuck.

On my own at home, struggling on crutches. I lost all my strength and was near passing out just to get to the toilet or kitchen!

I've been housebound for 3 years

I have to take care living with a Hernia

Tooth abscess for one year with violent headaches, swollen eyes, cheeks and face. Stop privatising the NHS.

Had to waste my time chasing the NHS and had to cancel a holiday.

Finding difficulty in walking, sleeping. The pain very bad and getting worse.

I waited 6 weeks for a scan, then was told that I had a fractured rib! The Government needs to follow through on their pledges - put more funding in.

The delay has caused problems, pain and discomfort - but biggest problem no respite care while I recover.

It meant whilst it was accepted I needed mental health support I was left suffering complex trauma.