New report reveals 60% increase in healthcare access delays across Europe

A study conducted by researchers at Newcastle University and published on November 13, 2026, highlights a more than 60% increase in healthcare access delays across Europe following the pandemic. Commissioned by the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT), the report titled "Delayed access to healthcare in Europe" explores the causes and consequences of these delays, defining them as failures to receive timely medical examinations, diagnoses, or treatments.

The report highlights Cyprus as a notable case, noting that the country maintains zero unmet healthcare needs related to waiting lists. In 2022, Cyprus recorded health expenditures equivalent to 8.3% of its GDP, with 308.2 hospital beds and 1,023.2 health professionals per 100,000 residents. The island saw 70.9 deaths from treatable causes per 100,000 people that year. By 2023, the share of unmet needs in Cyprus remained minimal at 0.1%, entirely attributed to cost, with no reported delays due to distance or long waiting lists.

The research aims to provide a policy framework to help European member states mitigate these systemic access issues. It serves as a diagnostic tool for EU health committees to evaluate post-pandemic recovery strategies and the efficiency of national healthcare infrastructures.