NHS waiting lists - the other reason over 50s are withdrawing from the workforce
In the Chancellors new budget, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on the increasing number of over-50s leaving the workforce. This has led to a number of policies aimed at enticing this population back to work – including the much-lauded policies around raising the cap on interest free pension draw-down. However, this is not addressing one of the key reasons for people leaving the workforce – increasing NHS waiting lists.
The ONS’ Over 50s lifestyle survey shows that over 50s who have left the workforce since the COVID-19 pandemic are more likely to have a physical or mental health condition (51%) than those that have already returned to work (43%), and are more likely to say their condition reduces their ability to carry out day-to-day activities a lot (24%, compared with 10%). This was particularly the case for those aged 50-59, who were more than twice as likely as those aged 60-65 to say that they were not returning to work due to mental health and disability.
Of those who had left their previous job due to a health-related condition, more than one third (35%) were on an NHS waiting list, a similar proportion to the 36% reporting a health condition as a reason for not returning to work. Of those who said their long-term condition reduced their ability to carry out their day-to-day activities a lot, more than half (52%) were currently on an NHS waiting list.
Waiting lists have increased drastically over the past few years. According to the Health Foundation, over 7 million people are waiting for routine hospital treatment, with over 400,000 people waiting over a year to start treatment, up from less than 2,000 before 2020. In addition, as the Independent reports, 1.2 million are waiting for community mental health care, with a further 8 million assessed as not meeting thresholds and therefore unable to access care. Ipsos polling for the Health Foundation shows that older age groups are most aware of this lengthening in waiting times, with 80% of those aged 55+ saying waiting times for routine operations had got worse in the last twelve months, compared with 76% of those under 55.
The impact this has on people’s life cannot be underestimated. Many are waiting for treatment or surgery that would make it possible for them to return to work – from someone waiting for the mental health support that would make managing a return to work feasible, to someone waiting for the surgery that would reduce the chronic pain that makes working impossible. In addition, waiting so long for treatment can worsen the condition, or increase the risk of other negative health outcomes – for example, an increased risk of blood clots due to lack of movement for those waiting on joint replacements, or an exacerbation of a mental health condition to a point of crisis, due to lack of timely support.
Policies around supporting those with long-term conditions into work, or back into work, have the potential to make a massive difference to people’s lives. For example, the changes to Universal Credit have the potential to make it easier for disabled people to try out work without being penalised. Disabled people have a huge amount to add to the workforce, and society, and ensuring disabled people and those living with long-term conditions feel enfranchised and supported within our communities is very important. However, this financial element needs to be supported with appropriate job opportunities, that take into account people’s capabilities and needs.
But the fact remains, that some people can’t focus on the possibility of work, when they have immediate health needs that aren’t being treated. Tackling waiting lists allows for a key opportunity to improve people’s health and life – including making sure it reduces the risk of worsening conditions and the development of damaging side-effects.
The NHS is reviewing a number of potential approaches aiming to streamline patient flow, and help reduce waiting lists, as well as reducing demand through public health measures and early detection screening. Ipsos, in partnership with the Strategy Unit, is currently evaluating numerous of these measures. For example, the Flow Coaching Academy is training up staff within the NHS to work together to create change within their organisation and improve patient flow. The Targeted Lung Health Checks are attempting to identify lung cancer early, to support early treatment and improved outcomes. But these interventions cannot exist in isolation.
Reducing NHS waiting lists is not a quick win. It will require dedicated time, effort, and money, as well as investment in a long-term strategy to ensure patients have access to the treatment they need, when they need it. But if the government is serious about increasing the proportion of over 50s returning to work, this cannot be done properly without addressing waiting lists.
