14/11/2003

NHS waiting lists sink to 11-year low

NHS waiting lists for September are now at their lowest in 11 years, according to statistics released today by the department of health.

The total number of patients waiting for inpatient treatment was 973,600 – a fall of 10,600 since last month. This is 74,500 less than September last year and 184,400 less than March 1997.

There were 177,900 patients waiting longer than six months for admission, which is 4,300 less than last month, 71,000 less than September last year, and 105,900 less than March 1997.

There were 114 people waiting longer than 12 months for admission to hospital – 16,600 less than September last year and 30,100 less than March 1997.

Health Minister John Hutton said: "Today's statistics show that, year on year, we are making steady progress to cut long waits for patients. To make sure we continue that progress, we are adding capacity to the NHS and recruiting more nurses and more doctors.

"Treating more patients more quickly is our number one priority. We said that nobody should have to wait longer than six months for an operation by 2005, and we are on target to deliver that promise."

The NHS Plan provides that no one should wait for more than three months for an outpatient appointment by 2005; no one should wait for more than six months for an operation by 2005, falling to three months thereafter; and no one should wait more than four hours in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge by 2004.

(gmcg)

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