04/07/2003

NHS waiting list figures slashed

The latest inpatient figures for May 2003 were released by the Department of

Health today.

The figures show that: There are 159 patients waiting over 12 months for inpatient treatment, which is over 21,700 less than at the end of March last year. The patients are concentrated at only 11 Trusts in England and all have action plans in place to address this.

The overall inpatient waiting list rose slightly by 1,700 (+0.2%) since last

month to 1.003m. The inpatient waiting list is still over 52,000 lower than

this time last year, and 155,000 lower than in March 1997.

The number of patients waiting over 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months and 15 months for in-patient treatment are all lower than the inherited March 1997 figures: The number of patients waiting over 3 months is nearly 112,000 lower than March 1997, and 38,400 lower than March 2002.

For the past three months, the number of patients waiting over 6 months has

been lower than at any time since June 1993 when records start. The May figure is nearly 82,000 lower than March 1997, and 36,000 lower than March 2002.

For the past three months, the number of patients waiting over 9 months has

been lower than at any time since June 1993 when records start. The May figure is nearly 66,000 lower than March 1997, and 43,500 lower than March 2002.

For the past three months, the number of patients waiting over 12 months has been lower than at any time since June 1993 when records start. The May figure is 30,000 lower than March 1997, and 21,700 lower than March 2002.

There were 25 patients waiting over 15 months for treatment. This is 5,700

lower than March 1997.

Commenting on the figures Health Minister John Hutton said: "There are now over 21,000 fewer people waiting 12 months for inpatient treatment than in March last year. The NHS is continuing to make good progress year on year in reducing waiting times for treatment. Thanks to the commitment and hard work of NHS staff, these latest figures show the vast majority of NHS patients are seen within the maximum waiting time standard. However, we are not complacent. There is still a long way to go, but with the continued efforts of our doctors, nurses and support staff, the NHS can achieve the NHS Plan commitment of no patient waiting more than 6 months for treatment by 2005."

The main points of May's inpatient waiting figures are: - The total number of

patients waiting for treatment in England is 1.003m, a slight rise of 1,700 0.2%). - There were 159 English residents waiting over 12 months for

inpatient treatment - a slight fall of 11 since last month, and 21,700 fewer than March last year. - There were 25 English residents waiting over 15 months for treatment.

(GMcG)

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