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

Not able to walk or exercise. Can only ride bike on flat routes. Struggle to get into car and change gear.

I've been waiting 3 months for a hearing test. Deafness is spoiling my quality of life.

I am in increasing amounts of pain and my activities have been affected.

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

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

I am in pain constantly.

I have waited two months for a referral to an allergy unit, then told it would be another 10-12 months to get an appointment.

I now have to walk with a stick as the pain in my hip is so bad.

I'm struggling with my eyesight. I'd like to see Iinvestment and recruitment, with better wages

It affects my every day living

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

I can't get glasses yet because of the remaining cataract. Reading books used to be my greatest pleasure, but I can't do that any more.

One endless trawl that's left me exhausted mentally and physically. It has affected my trust and left me feeling like I'm on a production line.

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

It has spoiled my old age

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

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

Have suffered pain and stress

I have pain which could perhaps be alleviated with treatment. Pay doctors and nurses a proper rate for the job to discourage them going elsewhere.

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

I have suffered debilitating pain since 2019.

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 worried that my problem will get a lot worse

I still don't know what is wrong with me or what treatment I need.

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

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

The delay has caused problems, pain and discomfort - but biggest problem no respite care while I recover.

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

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

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

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

Had to give up my business and live off my savings

Unable to go out and enjoy our life

I am 75 and have been waiting 6 months for a health checkup. Stop privatising and fund the NHS adequately.

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

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

I have excruciating back pain, my monthly treatment has been delayed by a further nine months.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Waiting for an operation to remove a lump on my hand and told it could be 65 weeks. Give the NHS more money and settle pay claims with the staff.

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

I have major mobility issues and pain.

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

It has restricted my life dramatically.

I have lost hearing in one ear, for nearly a year now. I find it difficult to socialise because of this.

I've had to spend my savings for treatment

I am on waiting list for ADHD diagnosis, this delay is causing huge problems as I am unable to access any support until I am diagnosed officially.

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.

They should put more money into the NHS

I feel no one cares about my condition...I suffered with my back I have 2 slipped discs in my spine and spinal stenosis.

I do not accept that this delay is acceptable in a first world country

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

The delay has caused suffering and a lot of pain.

I limp and need a walkig stick

My mobility is in a negatively affected.

Mobility has severely deteriorated and pain levels increased.

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 have been waiting for a consultation - my condition is worse so it's difficult to go about my day now.

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

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

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 a cyst in my stomach area, which is very painful on a daily basis.

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!

Because of the delay I am needing to know if I need treatment or lifestyle change to help with the symptoms.

This has been incredibly stressful, I was not able to walk any distance for 4 months, resulting in depression and frustration.

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

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.

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

I paid £175 to see the same doctor that had cancelled me in an attempt to bring my "urgent" treatment forward, but didn't happen.

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

It's causing frustration and anxiety. We need to train more staff.

Pay our NHS staff a decent living wage.

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

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.

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

The wait has had a detrimental effect on my life.

I have had difficulty in seeing in my left eye while waiting for this treatment.

My mental health has deteriorated significantly, I hardly leave the house.

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

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.

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

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

I suffered repeated urine retention episodes involving having to go to A&E for treatment.

I struggle to walk and sometimes experience intense pain.

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

The problem causes inconvenience, distress, embarrassment and discomfort and impacts my social life.

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

My knee pain has now spread into the other knee. I am much less active and even have difficulty taking my dog for a walk.

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

It's caused me stress and complications.

I have knee pain so can be quite debilitating at times

Life is difficult and I cannot do my daily tasks with ease.

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

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

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

The Government needs to find a way to reduce the list.

The delay has caused constant pain and broken sleep. Invest in the NHS.

Pay the NHS staff properly!

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.

It's causing anxiety. I'm waiting for a biopsy on possible skin cancer.

My problems of urination have made my life a nightmare.

I'm in increasing discomfort each month. Can’t stand for more than a hour, it used to be 3 hours.

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

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

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!

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

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

The delay has made everyday more worrying

The pain I'm experiencing has just worse and worse.

My surgery keeps getting postponed, which is making me anxious. I have had to cancel any long term plans and activities while I wait.

Symptoms are affecting my daily life due to fatigue

Constant pain and loss of mobility.

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

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

On my own at home, struggling on crutches. I lost all my strength and was near passing out just to get to the toilet or kitchen!

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 a hiatus hernia and it affects my breathing badly. It's getting worse and affecting my everyday life. My food and drinks get stuck.

Just worried about what might be wrong.

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

I've had years of pain making it impossible to have a normal life. I'm relying on my daughters - as I'm unable to drive, use public transport etc.

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.

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

The delay means I can't hear

Pain during the day and broken sleep caused by pain. Invest in the NHS.

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

I need treatment and without it I am still suffering.

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

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

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

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

The delay has meant the cancer is bigger.

I don't have a life. I live on painkillers so I can't do anything. I’m taking antidepressants that I wouldn't need if I got the treatment I need.

I'm living with a bulge in my groin, which was the results of a bodged hernia operation, for years. It's uncomfortable and often painful.

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

I had to make a lot of phone calls to get permission for my optician to do my sight test.

The wait has caused depression, anxieties, and further psychological harm. I have had to enter debt to pay for private treatments. Fund the NHS.

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

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.

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.

I suffer with mental health and I can honestly say that there is NOT any help out there for it.

Have to take a chemo drug once a week, it knocks me out.

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

Shoulder replacement. Surgery was due last April and it's getting increasingly more painful.

The delay is causing absolute misery

I am disabled and this causes more stress, which aggravates the condition, private treatment is not an option.

Outings, arrangements and get togethers paused.

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

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

Absolutely devastating on my quality of life.

I am worried because I have advancing glaucoma. Without regular treatment, I could lose my sight.

Been referred every year since but still no appointment

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

It has affected me deeply, causing well over a year and half of high anxiety, due to worsening symptoms that doctors struggled to diagnose.

Having my right hip replaced took 16 months. I was told to wait a further 6 months for my left hip to be replaced. 8 months later I am still waiting!

The delay has left me with worse pain although I'm already in chronic pain

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

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

It has caused anxiety, affected my work, l have had pain, and am still waiting for it to be sorted out.

It's affected my daily routine and lifestyle. We need to speed up recruitment at all levels and put the appropriate funding in place

Extremely painful and can't walk or stand for long.

Suffering with displaced lens in my right eye, I suffer constant headaches, frequent dizzy spells, falls and blurred vision. I am becoming reclusive.

I've had to pay privately for a diagnosis of Parkinson's. I'm now back on the NHS waiting list for treatment.

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

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

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.

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

It’s difficult to go and get tests for something that could be serious - then have to wait weeks for a diagnosis. One is left in no man’s land.

I can't eat as my teeth are worn down and can't eat properly - my mental health has suffered.

I am waiting for a hip replacement. I am in excruciating pain 24/7. We need more doctors and we need to pay them better!

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

I have learned to live with the problem.

The delay affects my life daily in everything

The delay has made day to day life very uncomfortable

I am fearful and anxious that problem will flare back up resulting in emergency admission or operation.

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

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

I now can't walk more than 100m before getting a pain in my leg - this has been going on for 9 months.

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

It could have been life limiting

I am finding it increasingly difficult to walk.

I am in pain every day so much so I spend most of my day lying down

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.

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

I am waiting to see my Rheumatologist referred in January, they hope to see me in March next year!

I get recurring infections held back with antibiotics and sometimes have chronic pain so bad that I am sick.

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

I've waited 2 months for a GP appointment.

I'm embarrassed about my condition.

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

I've suffered with severe knee pain and related problems, this has now reached a point where I can barely walk more than round the house.

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

It's stopped me singing professionally.

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

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

I've lost my daily life. I'm in severe pain. I have no ability to achieve daily jobs in house. It's a loss of independance.

It's restricted my mobility and made me depressed. They need to build the promised hospitals and pay doctors and nurses a better salary

I've been in pain. We need to put a lot more money into the NHS

Waiting for my knee op. I waited 7 hours in A&E to see a doctor. I have never seen something like this. I have no quality of life and live in fear.

It has been devastating and I am in constant pain 24 hours a day.

It has made it highly stressful

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

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

I'm now stuck on steroids and heart medication.

The delay means I have lost mobility

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

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

I have acute pancreatitis I am also diabetic been waiting 2 months for treatment, I am in increasing pain.

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

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.

Have an almost useless hand. Not helpful when I live alone and have other health issues.

I worry about what may be wrong

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

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

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