Health minister: Target is on track

Hospitals are on track to meet the government's target of all patients starting their treatment within 18 weeks of referral.

NHS trusts are expected to reach the goal by December 2008 but figures from the Department of Health show that many have already done so.

Health minister Dawn Primarolo described the reduction in waiting times as a "major achievement of hospitals and primary care trusts".

"As well as demonstrating that NHS reform is leading to clinically-appropriate effective treatment and care, data indicates that most NHS trusts are on track to achieve the December target to treat all patients within 18 weeks and many have already met it," she added.

"Ten years ago it was not uncommon to wait 18 months or more for treatment and people died languishing on waiting lists – it's fantastic that almost all patients now begin treatment within 18 weeks."