NHS facing ‘biggest pressure in history’ as 12 million await treatment

Health bosses warn that hospital waiting lists are set to more than double

Health Secretary Matt Hancock
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says that demand for care is rising in the NHS
(Image credit: Jacob King/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The NHS is facing unprecendented pressure from a backlog of patients caused by a year of pandemic-related disruption, Matt Hancock has warned.

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Julia O'Driscoll is the engagement editor. She covers UK and world news, as well as writing lifestyle and travel features. She regularly appears on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast, and hosted The Week's short-form documentary podcast, “The Overview”. Julia was previously the content and social media editor at sustainability consultancy Eco-Age, where she interviewed prominent voices in sustainable fashion and climate movements. She has a master's in liberal arts from Bristol University, and spent a year studying at Charles University in Prague.