To think the NHS reduces official waiting times with bureaucracy?

[vipersnest1]

Hear me out... (admittedly I'm one case, but can see how this would affect many people)...
I have a prolapse which has recurred. In the last two years, after my referral, I've been passed from department to department. Admittedly, there were some complicating issues, which are all sorted out now.
But, I saw my consultant in early September who wanted me to do another test so he could bring my case to the MDT around the end of September. I heard nothing for three weeks after this date, so managed to chase it (eventually). I got a reply to say my test results were waiting for the consultant to review, and to wait, so I did, for another three weeks, so I chased again. This time, I had a phone call later in the day from the secretary to say the MDT support surgery and I'm to be referred to a new consultant (I guess because my case is complex). The secretary told me she was typing a letter to me. This was all nearly two weeks ago, and still I haven't heard anything.
I haven't heard anything about my referral either, and nothing's showing on my NHS app.
Am I being cynical to think that the wheels are turning so slowly paperwork-wise because then it will appear I've been waiting considerably less time than I will be? (And of course the clock has been reset regarding the wait time from referral to first treatment.)
Is anyone else in this situation?

(Disclaimer: for those who feel the need to behave in true AIBU fashion and nit-pick - I've paid my way (nothing against those who have not been able to, just saying), have been seriously let down by the NHS over a period of twenty years regarding another health condition, which could have improved the outcome I am living with now and this last round has had me undergoing some very distressing and dehumanising tests. I also don't think I'm more special or important than anyone else.)

Yes. Targets like that drive dysfunctional behaviours.

Unfortunately yes

I totally believe figures are massaged and manipulated, I even worked with a seconded team of administrators whose job it was to 'verify' outlying data and to check data was entered 'correctly', this was some years ago but I doubt the work has entirely vanished!
That and a family member was passed from consultant to consultant despite knowing what straightforward op was needed but her wait was only officially from when she'd had a meeting with the last specialist. Even though from first gp referral they'd all agreed on the operation needed. The waiting time was thus on target (just)

There's no perfect system. The accountability clock restarts or gets paused while other referrals take priority. Welcome to the Internal market?

I think you are right. I waited 2 years for my gallbladder surgery. The referral from my GP was in the system unopened for 6 months. The GP was really cross. It took a whole year for me to even get on the surgical waiting list at the hospital. Mind you, I lost 10kg because I could only eat a low fat diet!

@lljkk, but this is far from the perfect system. In that world, people would get prompt referrals and treatment. I have no idea what the internal market is though?
@elastamum, at least you're not alone! Not that either of us should have the need to find any kind of humour in it....

Anyone with further thoughts?

Providers actually get fined money for the patients whose waits exceed targets, yes the system incentivises the providers to check if those patients have exception reasons why they shouldn't be counted towards the targets.

No other health care system has such a target driven culture because no other system is so thoroughly government owned AND has so many specific targets.

1000%. I was on a cancer two week wait once, and wasn’t going to make it. So they cancelled the referral and redid it. I was only 16 days but it was the point that as far as the stats are concerned they hit the target when they didn’t! They came up with some bullshit excuse.

Give people unachieveable targets , penalties if they fail to meet them and they will find ways to meet them