The Newshound

NHS referral system has deleted thousands of patients from hospital waiting lists without warning, safety watchdog reveals

Since 2018, a minimum of 2,000 patients have been removed from NHS waiting lists without notification, according to findings by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB). The watchdog identified 'immediate risk to patient safety' in the NHS e-Referral Service, the platform GPs use to direct patients to specialists. Its 180-day auto-removal rule wipes referrals left untouched. Some disappeared for reasons that remain unexplained.

The HSSIB said the system 'was not designed to manage the current volume of referrals'.

Around 1,000 further patients were reinstated in 2023/24, and only after concerned GP surgeries raised the alarm.

MoreThe TelegraphNHS accidentally deletes thousands of patients from waiting listsThe IndependentThousands of patients accidentally removed from NHS waiting listsInternational Business Times, Singapore EditionNHS Accidentally Deletes Thousands of Patient Referrals From Hospital Lists Without Warning - International Business Times, Singapore EditionPharmacy BusinessNHS GP referral system accidentally deleting patients from waiting lists: HSSIBHealthcare Management MagazineHSSIB identifies 'immediate risk to patient safety' in electronic referral service - Healthcare Management Magazine
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