NHS 'to miss waiting times target'

12 April 2012

New figures to be published on Thursday will show the Government is struggling to meet ambitious targets on NHS waiting times, according to a leaked email.

The statistics will reveal that some patients are waiting over a year to be treated, the memo published in the Times reveals.

Labour has said that by the end of 2008 nobody, whether an in-patient or an out-patient, should have to wait more than 18 weeks from referral to the start of NHS treatment.

The email contains Department of Health advice to local health service communications managers on how to spin the disappointing figures, the Times reported.

It reportedly reveals that nationally 52% of hospital in-patients are currently waiting longer than 18 weeks.

The email, circulated by a press officer from the South Central Strategic Health Authority, says: "The data will show variations in referral to treatment waiting times across your area by provider and commissioner. It will also show differences by speciality.

"There will be some long waits - of up to, and in excess of, one year in some areas.

"There is a risk that the media's attention will focus around long waits, and make claims that these new, more transparent measures of waiting times undermine the effort to date to tackle waiting in the NHS."

Health Minister Andy Burnham said: "It is utter nonsense to suggest that the NHS faces a waiting list crisis.

"Quite the contrary - waiting times are at a record low, and we are on track to achieving the historic goal of eliminating waiting times by the end of next year. NHS staff are working hard to reduce waits right across the country, and we shouldn't belittle their achievements."

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