NHS waiting times
Friday, 30 May 2008 14:38
The government wants all patients to be treated with 18 weeks
Figures showing fewer people are waiting longer than 18 weeks for NHS treatment have been welcomed by the government and health experts.
The government has set a target that by December 2008 all patients, where it is clinically appropriate, will begin their treatment within 18 weeks of referral from their GP.
Statistics released by the Department of Health show that, as at May 31st, 85 per cent of patients who require admission to hospital and 90 per cent of patients not needing admission started treatment within 18 weeks of referral.
Health ministers say the figures show the NHS to be firmly on track to meet its December target and that many NHS trusts have already met the target.
Medical experts are calling the achievement 'fantastic' given 1.2 million people were on waiting lists when Labour came to power and that many people spent years on the lists before treatment.
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