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

I have severe carpal tunnel syndrome and the pain and burning is unbearable. I am losing the use of my hands.

Major effect as no diagnosis no treatment plan leads to chaos, frustration and health deterioration.

I'm experiencing pain and discomfort. As well as depression, stress and anxiety.

I'm having to take early retirement and losing thousands of pound from my pension by going 11 months early.

Absolutely devastating on my quality of life.

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

You just have to get on with it. I'd like the government to take the money off their mates and put it into the NHS.

I'm in discomfort and occasionally in pain. I am anxious about what can happen to me if the operation is still postponed.

Because of a complex diagnosis I've been waiting 8 months for support.

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

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

Waiting for a hip operation. Stressful and mentally wearing; I cannot walk far and balance is affected.

I'm concerned my sight might be deteriorating.

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

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

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.

The delay affects my day-to-day life and my sleep.

I have been waiting for a hip replacement since last spring. The pain severely limits my capacity for exercise and means I feel exhausted.

I'm in pain, and have no maneuverability

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

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

Mobility has severely deteriorated and pain levels increased.

While I wait, my GP has advised me to continue to take my medication, even though I should have been due a drug holiday over a year ago.

I am concerned about the deterioration of my liver. I am very tired. I've cancelled a family holiday and missed a family wedding.

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

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

I am anaemic and need iron injections. The Government needs to stop messing around - we need our NHS to survive.

Everything is slowly getting worse. I still don't know when I'll be treated

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

I can't travel far and my usual activities are severely curtailed because of the delay.

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

I belive I will die soon as I have heart problems and can't get appointments for cardiac care.

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

It is a constant irritation every day.

It's eye surgery to correct distorted vision, so it's worrying when driving for instance.

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

I have had to give up all my exercise groups, walking group etc. Due to lack of exercise I've put on 6kg and have become depressed.

It's caused me uncertainty and depression

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.

Although I am reasonably active, the problem I have is starting to get difficult to manage.

I get a moderate amount of pain which prevents me doing things at times.

The pain I was suffering has become worse and it is difficult to sit, lie down or sleep. We need more doctors and nurses. More staff, more money

I need ops on both eyes and I can’t drive my car. I have lots of pain. If I want to see doctors I have to think how I will get there etc.

It's made my anxiety, autism and learning disability worse.

I have given up and have learned to cope with my problem sadly.

Every step I take is painful now.

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.

It scares me to think my condition is worsening.

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

I struggle to walk and sometimes experience intense pain.

My condition is worsening in the absence of meaningful treatment

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

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

I'm struggling to walk and cannot breathe properly.

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.

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

It has restricted my life dramatically.

The delay has had big impact I’m in pain everyday.

It's physically and psychologically affecting me a lot. I’m now limited as to what I can do in many ways.

I have had a serious decline in breathing due to circulation problems. My quality of life has declined dramatically.

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

I worry about the effects on my eye sight and long term health.

I suffer with chronic pain each day. We need to pay the consultants and doctors what they deserve.

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

Being disabled and a pensioner is no joke

My quality and duration of sleep has been badly affected, and I'm only getting about 4.5 to 5 hours a night.

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

The delay has meant increased pain and impaired ability to carry out everyday activities.

It's affected my mobility

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

I am finding it increasingly difficult to walk.

My symptoms have gotten worse.

I waited over two years for one hip and two years for the other hip.

My teeth are disintegrating with gums growing up & over molars, exposing the next tooth along to decay. I can no longer chew hard food.

Getting a consultant diagnosis took over a year. Waiting for hip replacement on the NHS now means I have limited exercise.

I have back pain and severe sciatica affects my mobility and sleep. I cannot live as full a life as I’d like.

The discomfort has substantially affected my way of life, I am unable to do what I have always done.

Not knowing the outcome of test I've just had, to test for pancreatic Cancer, will I be able to be cured ??

I'm in permanent agony.

Can't work, as I have no use of my left arm due to wrist damage.

Need diagnosis and treatments so cannot do anything and I don't know what to do or how to manage until I get one.

My symptoms are getting worse, impacting on my asthma, making life difficult and causing me stress.

The delay has meant my anxiety is really bad

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

I’m waiting for confirmation if I have a condition which, if not treated, can lead to blindness. 9 months later, I am becoming increasingly anxious.

I've had to put up with pain longer than necesssary.

I have to wear adult nappies 24/7

I've waited over 2 years for a triple bypass operation. During that time my pain has limited my normal activities every day.

I have been living in pain for 2 years. Get extra NHS staff in now!

The long wait for treatment is negatively impacting me - I am worried that something life changing or life threatening will be missed.

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

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

I'm in constant agony as there's something wrong with my spine and I haven't seen a doctor yet I can't walk now.

I have been told my wait to get an initial appointment will be about ten months then no idea about getting treatment.

It has made it highly stressful

My mobility is in a negatively affected.

Recently, I accidentally took a paracetamol overdose, and was in A&E for 10 hours, trying to treat myself because getting a referral is a nightmare.

Have suffered pain and stress

37 weeks for cardiology appointment. Had to book private appointment with cardiologist and pay for consultation and tests.

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

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

I'm waiting for a cancer removal which has now doubled. Remove private companies out of the NHS and invest the same money into staff recruitment.

I feel like I'm in limbo. It also makes me worry that I've been forgotten.

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.

My problems of urination have made my life a nightmare.

The delay means my health is deteriorating

I've been waiting two months for a mere examination - my swallowing has got worse, takes my care worker much longer to feed me.

My left hip is crumbled pain and restricted participation in life. Sleep deprivation etc etc

The delay means I can't hear

The delay affected me as I had to wear a catheter during this period.

The delay has left me with less mobility - more pain

I am in constant pain, am unable to drive, unable to easily look after my house or myself

I've had to wait over what feels like almost two years for an eye appointment.

I had to wait months for an x-ray and now am waiting for the physio. We need to recruit more NHS staff.

Fund more treatments!

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

It's had a massive impact as I'm waiting for a hip replacement and my mobility is getting worse.

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

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!

I am in a lot of pain, and I can't walk far.

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

When I rang, I was told I have at least another 8 months to wait. My mental health is suffering.

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

Find a plan to fund the NHS properly and bring back the staff and equipment.

I need questions answered on a throat problem, I was originally referred in Jan 2023 and am currently being offered an appointment in Jan 2024.

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

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.

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

I'm now stuck on steroids and heart medication.

I'm registered disabled and struggle daily with health issues.

It's affected my mental health badly, I am now in poor physical condition and it's had huge impacts on my relationship.

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

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

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

My mobility has become restricted and I am in constant pain. Redress the damage done by consistent underfunding now.

Not been able to get back into full time employment so I can fully run my house or afford to eat. Give the NHS the tools to do its job.

I very been waiting for a right knee replacement since 2020, due to this my left knee has had to compensate and now I need my left knee replaced too.

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

I've waited 2 months for a GP appointment.

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

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

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

I broke my wrist and need further surgery. I have no strength in my wrist and tasks like getting dressed and showering causes me pain.

I am waiting for an MRI scan. I had to give up my job, as I was no longer able to do heavy work.

One pain was too great to carry on with. So I took my savings of £16,500 to have it done privately

I've had to spend my savings for treatment

I'm losing sight in my right eye. The hospital are having problems and now I'm waiting for another operation.

Hernia has got worse, and more painful. Hire more NHS staff.

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.

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

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.

I should have started radiotherapy back in May.

I am concerned about my health and delays this might have on it.

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

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

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

My illness is getting worse and my conditions getting worse.

I am very concerned that the longer I wait for treatment the more my family will suffer as I am very likely to take more looking after!

Total inability to walk and bathe or enjoy time with my grandkids.

It's causing me depression and pain.

My self-esteem has taken a battering.

I now have full blown arthritis in my neck and shoulder. l need a shoulder replacement. It's so frustrating!

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

I have been suffering from stress, confidence issues, and depression since I was diagnosed back in 2015. Now I'm signed off work indefinitely.

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'm in terrible pain and have very restricted movement. Get more staff and stop pushing everybody to private health care

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

My pain levels get progressively worse which has a knock on effect on my other conditions.

It's causing me worry and stress. The NHS needs more money

My way of life has deterated.

Been referred every year since but still no appointment

In severe pain, due to lower back spinal nerve problem. Unable to do anything, can't walk far, can't sleep.

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

Every single day I have to consider how and what I can do physically without causing extreme discomfort

I am unable to carry out day to day activities. We need to give NHS staff a decent pay rise, retain the experience, and treat them properly.

My hearing is very poor, and it is affecting my ability to work.

I'm on several dentists waiting lists but now have severe gum disease. Tooth loss means I'm unable to eat normally, causing dangerous weight loss.

I waited over 4 hours in A&E and have now waited 8 months for an appointment. The government needs to get their fingers out and pay the staff fairly.

I can hardly walk. We need to put more money into the NHS.

I'm in agony 24/7 with my back. My message: put the money into the NHS, fulfill your promises.

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

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

Difficulties getting ready, eating or preparing food. Suffering from anxiety & depression. My wife & carer is struggles to cope as she too is ill.

I have been afraid to leave my locality. Unable to ask pertinent questions concerning my ongoing medical needs.

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

I am waiting for a CT scan - so stressed and worried about my health. Stop letting private contractors make money off our NHS and fund it instead.

I live in fear of my tumours growing to a point where they become inoperable.

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

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

The cataract in my right eye has made me virtually blind on that side now my left eye is affected! If it is not dealt with I may not be able to see.

I had a dermatology appointment and they said the next one should be 6-12 weeks; it's been 6 months.

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

I have a hearing issue and now I feel isolated while in the company of others.

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

I had a further health crisis which if the investigation went ahead could have avoided emergency admission?

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 had surgery in 2021 which went wrong, affecting my life. I have been told it will be another year before I get another appointment. Fix the NHS.

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've had increased pain and difficulty walking. I've had to give up paid employment.

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

No word of how long it will be for surgery. I am in daily pain waiting.

Unable to carry out normal day-to-day tasks due to chronic pain.

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

I am still awaiting the results of an x-ray. My body pain is unbearable. We need to put more money into the NHS.

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.

It affects my every day living

I needed hip replacement surgery. I couldn't walk by the end and I couldn't work. I'm still not fully recovered.

It's a living hell waiting time for ambulance. Numerous times trapped on floor awaiting next day having to pee in vase.

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 am still suffering and not getting any better my quality of life is now very low

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

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

Pain and difficulty in daily life.

Failure to treat my kidney stones. Fund the NHS not just adequately but increase extra funding above and beyond what would match 2010 levels.

We need emergency measures to get the NHS working again

Just worried about what might be wrong.

I am 78 and have been left unable to walk or live independently. The Government needs to act instead of trying the public to just accept this!

I suffer chronic pain on a daily basis which is becoming worse the longer I wait and I am scared of the problem becoming worse.

The delay means I can walk even less now

I am in constant pain and cannot get out. This has made me very depressed.

I am anxious that my health is getting worse while I wait.

The delay means I find it hard to walk.

It's causing me stress, anxiety and worry

I am living with daily discomfort and pain while waiting for a simple operation. We need to raise the pay for the staff and retain them.

Lots of stress for whole family, which enables aggressive cancer to continue growing for three months.