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

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

I am an electrician and can't do my job easily anymore because of my health issue. I can't sleep and am in constant pain. Fund the NHS properly.

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

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

This has significantly damaged my quality of life.

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

Its having a big impact on my life, causing problems with other parts of my body - painful to walk and sit down.

Waiting 6 months for first consultation. It's limited my physical activities and travelling.

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.

I have to wear adult nappies 24/7

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.

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

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

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

I've waited 2 months for a GP appointment.

It scares me to think my condition is worsening.

I need a decision on continuing to take an anticoagulant after potentially life threatening symptoms.

My symptoms have gotten worse.

It was an awful end of happiness.

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.

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

I've been waiting for a consultation before my back surgery. Its a waiting game. Just frustrating and drainng.

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

I waited over 18 months for a urology appointment, which means I've had to always be mindful of how long journeys take & where the nearest toliet is!

I can rule out the whole of the last year, as I've been in so much pain, I've not been able to even get dressed.

I need a hip replacement. Whilst waiting for treatment, my other hip is now failing.

Waiting has stopped me from getting a much overdue diagnosis of ADHD and autism, support and treatment, and also benefits for the conditions.

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

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

It's made me very unwell

My knee is getting progressively worse and instead of a simple arthroscopy I may need a knee replacement.

I am in constant pain and stress.

My mobility has worsened considerably since I was referred for a right hip replacement.

My way of life has deterated.

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

I am still trying to get on a waiting list, it's been delayed four months after previously waiting three and a half years for a foot operation

It's affecting me on a daily basis.

I've been bounced back four times, appointments have been cancelled within a week of getting them. We need to put more money into the NHS.

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.

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

Having to queue in the cold when I am unwell is most unpleasant. I am 76 years of age

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

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 have limited activity. The people in charge must resign.

My ear appointment was cancelled because of Covid and after several failed attempts, my GP had referred me again. I’m anxious as a result.

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

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

My quality of life has been greatly affected

I am on two different waiting lists and it's been a very painful year.

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 was forced to go private in mid-September for half-knee replacement operation.

Mobility has severely deteriorated and pain levels increased.

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

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

Waiting for rheumatology, I have osteoporosis, broke my toe. It cannot heal without medical help.

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

It's causing devastating pain, duress and anxiety

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

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

The delay has affected my day to day living

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

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

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

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

I'm stuck in the house, due to mobility problems. Feeling very low.

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

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

I am unable to live a normal life style without stress.

Provide the NHS with the funding to do the job

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

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

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 has restricted my life dramatically.

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

The impact this has had on me is devastating, I am scared to go out because I can't see properly to be able to cross roads safely.

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

I have learned to live with the problem.

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

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 pain is horrendous, causing anxiety and discomfort. I need help to walk.

Being on the waiting list causes discomfort and disrupts my normal way of life.

Being disabled and a pensioner is no joke

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.

It's very stressful and painful. We should have kept some of the nightingale hospitals and staffed them to get the waiting lists down.

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 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's affected my mobility

I am now struggling to get around because of being immobile for so long waiting to see a consultant.

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

It's stopped me singing professionally.

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

I am waiting for an appointment. I am fearful of having a fall meantime, having already fallen the pavement three times recently.

My arthritic knees have become more painful. There are so many activities I can no longer do, like gardening, sitting comfortably, and sleeping.

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

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.

It's depressing

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’ve been waiting 1 year 6 months, I’ve had problems with my shoulder. My GP said there was no chance of getting an appointment for a year.

Have suffered pain and stress

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

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

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.

It has made it highly stressful

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

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

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

The delay has meant the cancer is bigger.

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

I've had to spend my savings for treatment

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

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.

Absolutely devastating on my quality of life.

I limp and need a walkig stick

Because of the delay, my diabetes has caused me to develop neuropathy - still waiting treatment.

I have decreased mobility

I'm in permanent agony.

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’ve got psp and go to the loo every 1-2hours so I don’t sleep well. I need my bladder stretching

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

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.

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

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

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

Pay our NHS staff a decent living wage.

I'm embarrassed about my condition.

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

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

The delay means I have lost mobility

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!

My condition is worsening in the absence of meaningful treatment

There is uncertainty about my provisional diagnosis.

The delay in treatment has left me in daily pain. It has effected my ability to work and left me unable to work full time.

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 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

The wait is very stressful and impacts my health and wellbeing. There's no light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm now stuck on steroids and heart medication.

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

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

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

I am worried that my problem will get a lot worse

My self-esteem has taken a battering.

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

Sore eyes as I have ingrowing eyelashes scratching my lenses and cannot afford to pay for private removal.

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

I was referred 2 months ago for micro suction treatment on my right ear still waiting to receive an appointment.

I'm unable to get treatment for a very painful foot , limping around in pain for week. It's made me feel really low and depressed!

I'm stuck waiting for a pain management appointment. I'm going through constant pain.

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

It has devastated my life and seriously affected my mental health; basically I now have very little life at all, except attending to the essentials

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.

So far I've been waiting for 11 months, for an appointment I was informed would be within 6 weeks.

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

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.

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.

Less mobility and needless pain.

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

It has meant it was too late to prevent the nerves and muscles being caught in time, so I am left with this for the rest of my life.

I hardly go out. Get waiting times back to 18 weeks

It's created a great deal of stress and anxiety for me.

I am in pain constantly.

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

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

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

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

I've struggled to book a GP appointment, I've waited more than 4 hours in A&E and I'm stuck on the NHS waiting list for treatment.

I have pain while doing general housework and also can't sleep well.

It's affected me a lot. More money need to be invested in the helping people and doctors

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

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.

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

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

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

Symptoms are affecting my daily life due to fatigue

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.

My illness is getting worse and my conditions getting worse.

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

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

I'm experiencing a lack of mobility and suffering from pain.

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

I have difficulty walking due to pain. We need more NHS staff, improved working conditions, better pay and to fund the system properly

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

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.

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

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

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

I have been in constant chronic pain throughout my body with severe weight loss, I was also bedridden.

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

They should put more money into the NHS

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

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.

Can't plan my life, fear and constant anxiety that the condition will go critical and become life-threatening.

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

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.

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

I lost my job due to ill health. We need to recruit people and then pay them properly.

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.

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

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

They keep putting my appointment off. This has affected my sleeping and hearing. How long before I get my sleep sorted and hearing fixed?

I am in discomfort with bouts of pain. Also have anxiety by not having had a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

My problem has gotten worse while waiting. Fix the NHS!

The delay has left me with a restricted life

Been brought to a standstill.

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.

Pay the NHS staff properly!

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

My pain has increased to the point where I find it difficult to do certain everyday tasks.

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

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

Lost hope that I will ever receive a diagnosis or treatment. Constantly being told the waiting time has been extended. Depressed.

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

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

My problems of urination have made my life a nightmare.

Things have had to be put on hold.

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.