Professor John Robertson OBA

From the Guardian today, the above and:

Navigating England’s “complex” health and care system is “extremely difficult” and carers and patients are experiencing burnout, distress and harm as a result, a damning report says. There were frequent failures by NHS and care organisations in coordinating care for people with long-term health conditions, the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) found. Figures show 41% of adults and 17% of children have at least one long-term health issue. The report said patients unable to navigate the health and care system were getting sicker as a result, missing vital appointments, and their care could be delayed or forgotten about, meaning they may need more intensive and expensive treatment in future or longer stays in hospital.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/10/englands-complex-health-and-care-system-harming-patients-report-says

Meanwhile, in Scotland but ignored by BBC Scotland, STV and much of the media:

From Public Health Scotland on 25 March 2025:

The estimated number of people assessed and waiting for a care at home package was 2,873 on 3 March 2025.¹

All things being equal, with 10 times the population, England might be expected then to have around 28 700 assessed but still waiting.

According to the latest data from GOV UK, for September 2024, it was 44 000, down from 51 000 in the previous quarter.²

So, around 52% more of those assessed and waiting for care at home package, are still waiting in England, compared to that in Scotland.

Sources:

1. https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/people-requiring-a-social-care-assessment-and-care-at-home-services/people-requiring-a-social-care-assessment-and-care-at-home-services-25-march-2025/
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/adult-social-care-in-england-monthly-statistics-january-2025/adult-social-care-in-england-monthly-statistics-january-2025#main-points