Thousands of patients in England at risk as GP referrals vanish into NHS ‘black hole’

The GuardianSunday, December 7, 2025 at 5:13:50 PM
Thousands of patients in England at risk as GP referrals vanish into NHS ‘black hole’
  • A recent report by the NHS patient watchdog revealed that 14% of patients in England requiring hospital care are not receiving it due to lost, rejected, or delayed GP referrals. This situation has led to significant health deterioration and increased anxiety among those affected, with 75% reporting harm to their physical or mental well-being.
  • The implications of these findings are severe, as they highlight systemic failures within the NHS that prevent timely access to necessary healthcare services. The inability to manage referrals effectively raises concerns about patient safety and the overall efficacy of the healthcare system.
  • This crisis is compounded by an unprecedented flu season, which has seen hospital admissions surge and emergency departments overwhelmed. The rising number of patients leaving A&E without treatment further underscores the strain on healthcare resources, indicating a broader trend of increasing demand and insufficient capacity within the NHS.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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