Homerton's key objectives

Like all NHS hospitals, the Homerton is under constant pressure to meet government targets. This year, there are eight key objectives:

1: By December patients must spend no longer than four hours in A&E. Homerton's record: 96 per cent are seen within this time.

2: By the end of 2005 the maximum wait for an outpatient appointment must be three months. At the end of February, 954 patients, 16 per cent, had waited over three months.

3: By the end of 2005, inpatients must wait no longer than six months for treatment. At the end of February 752 inpatients were awaiting treatment; 12 had waited over six months.

4: By December 2005, cancer patients must wait no longer than one month from diagnosis to treatment and two months from urgent referral to treatment Statistics not currently collected.

5: By next year, introduce ward housekeepers, in charge of cleanliness, patient wellbeing and meals. It employs four housekeepers but needs to recruit seven more.

6: Every NHS service should produce a plan to help cut the value of the national backlog of NHS building maintenance by 25 per cent. Recruiting 4 staff for dedicated maintenance team.

7: Carry out patient surveys this year with a view to developing strategies to improve all patients' experiences. Did anonymous surveys of all inpatients in 2002, plans surveys in A&E and outpatient services this year.

8: Install a hospital-wide electronic patient record system. It is struggling to find money to pay for the system.