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16/05/2003
Hospital waiting list falls below one million
The number of people waiting for NHS inpatient operations has fallen below a million for the first time in 10 years, according to the government's latest figures.
The number of NHS patients waiting longer than 12 months for an operation has also fallen to the lowest in 10 years - from 21,869 at the end of March last year to just 73 at the end of March this year. This is an important milestone on the way to meeting the target that by the end of 2005 no-one should wait longer than six months for an operation.
The number of patients waiting more than three, six, nine and 12 months are all lower than in March 1997. The number waiting longer than nine months fell by 45% during 2002/03, while the number waiting longer than six months fell by 21%.
Waiting times are now falling across the board in the NHS. Almost nine in 10 patients can get a GP appointment within two working days and there are now just 64 people waiting longer than 21 weeks for a first outpatient appointment with a hospital specialist, compared to more than 40,000 at the same point last year.
Health Secretary Alan Milburn said: "Waiting times had been rising for decades in the NHS. They are now coming down. There is a long way to go, but the health service is on course to deliver the NHS Plan, so that by 2005 no one should have to wait longer than six months for an operation."
A report also published today by NHS Chief Executive Sir Nigel Crisp confirms that waiting lists and times are falling, and that the number of patients seen by the NHS is rising. It also shows that patients are being seen in new ways - such as at walk-in centres.
(GMcG)
The number of NHS patients waiting longer than 12 months for an operation has also fallen to the lowest in 10 years - from 21,869 at the end of March last year to just 73 at the end of March this year. This is an important milestone on the way to meeting the target that by the end of 2005 no-one should wait longer than six months for an operation.
The number of patients waiting more than three, six, nine and 12 months are all lower than in March 1997. The number waiting longer than nine months fell by 45% during 2002/03, while the number waiting longer than six months fell by 21%.
Waiting times are now falling across the board in the NHS. Almost nine in 10 patients can get a GP appointment within two working days and there are now just 64 people waiting longer than 21 weeks for a first outpatient appointment with a hospital specialist, compared to more than 40,000 at the same point last year.
Health Secretary Alan Milburn said: "Waiting times had been rising for decades in the NHS. They are now coming down. There is a long way to go, but the health service is on course to deliver the NHS Plan, so that by 2005 no one should have to wait longer than six months for an operation."
A report also published today by NHS Chief Executive Sir Nigel Crisp confirms that waiting lists and times are falling, and that the number of patients seen by the NHS is rising. It also shows that patients are being seen in new ways - such as at walk-in centres.
(GMcG)
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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.
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Patients prefer better care to faster treatment, report claims
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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.
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'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
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'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.
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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".
23 February 2009
Group Calls For £6.3bn Social Housing Boost
The Government has been urged to kick-start the economy by investing £6.3 billion in social housing over the next two years. A newly-formed campaign group - The 2020 Group - has said the credit crunch has meant a collapse in house prices and lending, and an estimated loss of 450,000 job losses in the construction industry between 2008 and 2010.
Group Calls For £6.3bn Social Housing Boost
The Government has been urged to kick-start the economy by investing £6.3 billion in social housing over the next two years. A newly-formed campaign group - The 2020 Group - has said the credit crunch has meant a collapse in house prices and lending, and an estimated loss of 450,000 job losses in the construction industry between 2008 and 2010.
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