MORE than four million patients are now waiting for treatment as Tory failings on the NHS mount towards “the single biggest crisis since its creation.”

Research by the Labour Party reveals that Tory targets for maximum waiting times on operations now exist in name only.

General union GMB said that, with 100,000 unfilled staff vacancies, the NHS has little chance of providing the treatment needed by those on waiting lists.

Labour’s research reveals that the government’s target of an 18-week maximum wait for surgery for most patients has not been met since February 2016.

The delays have led to a 205 per cent increase in the number of patients waiting for treatment for dermatology problems such as eczema; a 206 per cent increase in the number of patients waiting for treatment for neurological afflictions such as epilepsy and motor neurone disease; a 188 per cent increase in those awaiting treatment for rheumatology treatments including arthritis and osteoporosis; and a 164 per cent increase in the numbers waiting for treatment for hearing loss, laryngitis and chronic tonsillitis.

The NHS constitution sets a maximum wait of 18 weeks to provide treatment for 92 per cent of patients.

The number of patients not treated within the target is now 4.1 million — up 1.7m in the last eight years of Tory rule.

The Tories’ response has been to instruct management organisation NHS England to consider abandoning the targets rather than providing the funding needed to make them achievable.

Labour’s shadow health and social care secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “These figures are shocking and behind every statistic is an anxious patient waiting longer in pain risking their health deteriorating further.”

He said patients were suffering while the Tories “play leadership games.”

Unions representing NHS workers said the findings came as no surprise.

GMB national officer for the NHS Rachel Harrison said: “With more than 100,000 staff vacancies and no credible plan for how to deal with this in the government’s long-term plan, the NHS is facing the single biggest crisis since its creation.

“Our health service is being starved of cash by Tories who would cut it into little pieces to sell off to profiteers.

“Patients are left waiting months for specialist treatment as dedicated NHS staff are left without the funding and support they need to deliver the services of which they are capable.”

Unison head of health Sara Gorton said: “With the Tory Party all-consumed with its leadership election, there’s little government going on and real problems are being ignored.

“But the NHS is under persistent and immense pressure and social care is on the verge of collapse. Ministers must quickly get a grip or things are likely to get considerably worse.”