Addressing backlogs and managing waiting lists during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic

Addressing backlogs and managing waiting lists during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic Postponement of non-emergency procedures to keep capacity available for Covid-19 patients, and to avoid infections, has led to backlogs of care in virtually all countries. As each delay in diagnosis and treatment may worsen health prospects, health systems have sought to understand and address the extent of the backlogs and their drivers. This briefing sets out the drivers that can increase the backlog and those that can decrease the backlog. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies