Healthwatch Suffolk calls on NHS to tackle ‘epidemic of pain’ as hospital waits impact lives

A health watchdog has called on Suffolk’s hospitals to tackle an ‘epidemic of pain’ as it warns waiting times are severely affecting people’s lives.

According to Healthwatch Suffolk, one third of the 1,400 people it surveyed reported pain having impacts on their lives, with some describing it as debilitating or unmanageable.

Research conducted by the watchdog found NHS systems should continue to review how people are supported to cope while waiting and check communications with patients were effective.

However, data from NHS trusts suggests waiting lists have dropped significantly over the past year.

Wendy Herber, independent chairwoman of Healthwatch Suffolk, said the findings illustrated how the wait for care could impact the very foundations of people’s lives.

This includes by ‘shrinking the world’, she said, as well as having negative effects on jobs, financial security, relationships and independence as well as their physical and mental wellbeing.

Other data showed two-thirds of patients did not know how long their wait would be, while three in five were not satisfied with communication about their wait.

Ms Herber added: “We are seeing an epidemic of pain that needs to be addressed.”

“Whilst recognising the good work that we know is already happening to clear wait lists, this report is asking some important questions of NHS leaders and is a timely opportunity to explore how we can prevent people from falling into crisis before they can be treated.”

According to the latest figures on elective recovery from West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, found that by the end of March 2025, there were 31 patients waiting more than 65 weeks for treatment – a significant drop from 407 from March 31, 2024.

Of these, 10 were capacity related or because the patient was medically unfit to undergo treatment.

For East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), there were 15 patients waiting more than 65 weeks for care.

The trust marked continued improvement in diagnostics for reductions in waiting times and increases in performance, an ESNEFT report released this month said.

Other findings from Healthwatch Suffolk’s survey were that patients waiting for gynaecology were among the most likely to be impacted by longer waits for treatment.

Vulnerable people, such as those with mental health issues, carers or disabilities, reported longer waits on average.

Kirsten Alderson, chief executive of Suffolk Family Carers and chairwoman of the Suffolk and North East Essex VCFSE Assembly, said the report was a dismaying reminder of the pain people were going through while waiting for care.

She added: “This important research provides some key learning and considerations for health leaders, including advice and support for the family as well as tailored support for individuals waiting for treatment.”

Matt Keeling, deputy director of operations at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Waiting for treatment can bring a range of physical, mental and emotional challenges. This report provides important and valuable insight into some of the experiences of our patients.”

“We’ll use these findings to develop our ‘waiting well’ programme, with a specific focus on supporting patients to manage pain. At the same time, we’re working incredibly hard to continue reducing waiting times so people can get the treatment they need sooner.”