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Waiting Lists

MMIMedium
NHS & Hot Topics · 6 minSelf-marked
How to use this: start the timer and answer the question out loud (or type it). Then grade yourself 0–3 on each skill with a note of your evidence — exactly as our examiners do. Hit Reveal benchmark & score to see what a model answer scores and how you compare. Everything saves to your browser automatically.
Answer timer
6:00/ 6 min suggested
1

Answer the question

Waiting Lists

How should the NHS address its waiting-list backlog?

Likely follow-ups
1

What was the impact of COVID?

2

Should private providers be used more?

3

What about the 65-week wait target?

Your answer

Speak it out loud and we'll type it for you (free), or type your own notes — then mark yourself below.

Resources & frameworks
  • Define the issue → both sides → your balanced view → impact on patients & the NHS.
  • Show you read beyond the textbook — name a recent example.
What strong answers do
Reveal the benchmark

Hidden so they don't bias your answer. Score yourself first, then reveal them to compare.

  • Reference scale: roughly 7+ million on the elective waiting list. RTT 18-week target far from met. 65-week wait elimination was a 2024 target now slipped.
  • Engage with private sector use - the 2023 elective recovery plan explicitly contracted private capacity for NHS patients.
  • Note the workforce angle: more theatres without more anaesthetists/surgeons doesn't deliver.
2

Mark yourself

Score each skill against the rubric, then add a line of evidence. Scale:

0Not shown1Limited2Good3Excellent
Quick mark:Completion: 0%

NHS Knowledge

0/3

Current targets and data

Critical Thinking

0/3

Engages with trade-offs

Communication

0/3

Structured

Realism

0/3

Aware of workforce constraint

3

Reflect & score

What would you change next time?
Your overall score / 10
Total: 0/12
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