Josh MacAlister corrects waiting list claim

1 November 2024

Josh MacAlister is the first MP newly elected in 2024 to correct an error following a request from Full Fact.

Full Fact’s AI tools detected a message on Mr MacAlister’s Facebook page on 29 October that inaccurately said “over 7.5 million people” were waiting for NHS treatment when the Conservatives left office. After we contacted Mr MacAlister, he corrected the figure.

According to data provided by NHS England, there were 7.6 million cases involving about 6.4 million people waiting for treatment when the Conservatives left office. Some patients await treatment for more than one thing, as our explainer on NHS waiting lists shows.

Our AI has detected over 50 claims confusing waiting lists data on patients and cases in the last year.

We’re very grateful to Mr MacAlister for making the correction.

Full Fact fights bad information

Bad information ruins lives. It promotes hate, damages people’s health, and hurts democracy. You deserve better.

Subscribe to weekly email newsletters from Full Fact for updates on politics, immigration, health and more. Our fact checks are free to read but not to produce, so you will also get occasional emails about fundraising and other ways you can help. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy.