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17/11/2011
NHS Waiting Lists Up By Half
Non-urgent waiting times are up by 48%, according to recent figures released by the NHS.
In response to the figures published on Wednesday, Ministers are calling for "hidden" waiting times in the NHS in England to be reduced.
The figures said hospitals currently had to see non-urgent patients within 18 weeks but there are nearly 250,000 on lists who have waited for longer than this.
Ministers said there was not enough incentive for non-urgent patients to be treated, meaning some are left "languishing" unnecessarily.
Andy Burnham MP, for Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said: "This move is a clear admission of failure by the Health Secretary.
"On his watch, NHS waiting lists are spiralling upwards, with a 48 per cent increase in patients who waited longer than 18 weeks. One of his first acts in office was to relax Labour's waiting time standards. We warned him that patients would pay the price and this is exactly what has happened.
"It's because of Andrew Lansley's failure to get a grip on waiting times that he's being forced to bring out these new rules today. He would do better instead to focus on bringing waiting times back down to the historic low that he inherited from Labour. Sadly, things will get even worse if he succeeds in abolishing Labour's cap on the amount of private work hospitals can do.
"This will take us straight back to bad old days of the Tory NHS, where patients are forced to choose between waiting longer or paying to go private."
Ministers are demanding NHS managers reduce the number of long waiters by about 50,000 by April.
(DW)
In response to the figures published on Wednesday, Ministers are calling for "hidden" waiting times in the NHS in England to be reduced.
The figures said hospitals currently had to see non-urgent patients within 18 weeks but there are nearly 250,000 on lists who have waited for longer than this.
Ministers said there was not enough incentive for non-urgent patients to be treated, meaning some are left "languishing" unnecessarily.
Andy Burnham MP, for Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said: "This move is a clear admission of failure by the Health Secretary.
"On his watch, NHS waiting lists are spiralling upwards, with a 48 per cent increase in patients who waited longer than 18 weeks. One of his first acts in office was to relax Labour's waiting time standards. We warned him that patients would pay the price and this is exactly what has happened.
"It's because of Andrew Lansley's failure to get a grip on waiting times that he's being forced to bring out these new rules today. He would do better instead to focus on bringing waiting times back down to the historic low that he inherited from Labour. Sadly, things will get even worse if he succeeds in abolishing Labour's cap on the amount of private work hospitals can do.
"This will take us straight back to bad old days of the Tory NHS, where patients are forced to choose between waiting longer or paying to go private."
Ministers are demanding NHS managers reduce the number of long waiters by about 50,000 by April.
(DW)
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12 November 2004
NHS waiting lists fall to 17-year low
The total number of people on NHS waiting lists has fallen to its lowest level in 17 years, according to statistics published today. The department of health figures revealed that those on waiting lists dropped by 4,500 to 856,600 in September this year.
NHS waiting lists fall to 17-year low
The total number of people on NHS waiting lists has fallen to its lowest level in 17 years, according to statistics published today. The department of health figures revealed that those on waiting lists dropped by 4,500 to 856,600 in September this year.
06 July 2005
Patients prefer better care to faster treatment, report claims
Patients would prefer to wait for better hospital treatment, rather than go to a hospital with shorter waiting lists. A study, conducted by RAND Europe, the King’s Fund and City University, found that patients were more likely to choose to be treated at a hospital with a good reputation rather than one that has shorter waiting times.
Patients prefer better care to faster treatment, report claims
Patients would prefer to wait for better hospital treatment, rather than go to a hospital with shorter waiting lists. A study, conducted by RAND Europe, the King’s Fund and City University, found that patients were more likely to choose to be treated at a hospital with a good reputation rather than one that has shorter waiting times.
26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
22 September 2008
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
14 November 2011
Lansley Criticised Over Minimum Wait Ban
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has come under criticism on Monday after banning Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) from enforcing minimum waiting times on referrals. Mr Lanley claimed the move was in the interests of "patient choice", while he also announced caps on operations that "do not take account of the healthcare needs of individual patients".
Lansley Criticised Over Minimum Wait Ban
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has come under criticism on Monday after banning Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) from enforcing minimum waiting times on referrals. Mr Lanley claimed the move was in the interests of "patient choice", while he also announced caps on operations that "do not take account of the healthcare needs of individual patients".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
