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04/04/2003
Hospital waiting lists fall by 26,000
The latest figures show the total number of patients waiting for a hospital operation has fallen by almost 26,000 with the number waiting over a year having consistently fallen for a year and a half.
According to the government, the NHS is on track to hit its target, that of no patient waiting more than a year for inpatient treatment, by the end of March.
The statistics reveal that there were only 6,700 patients waiting over 12 months for inpatient treatment at the end of February, 2,800 fewer than the previous month and 19,100 fewer than the same period last year.
The overall inpatient waiting list fell by 25,800 during February to 1.027m. The inpatient waiting list is 23,000 lower than this time last year, and over 130,600 lower than in March 1997.
Investment in the NHS has increased the annual budget by over £5 billion a year. The bulk of this extra resource has been spent on training and employing extra staff, investing in more advanced equipment and new groundbreaking drugs as well as building up extra capacity so the NHS can treat more patients more quickly and to a higher standard.
Health Secretary Alan Milburn said: "After decades when waiting times rose in the NHS they are now coming down. There is a long way to go but the NHS Plan is on schedule.
"With sustained investment now taking hold in the NHS in the next year it will come down again to a maximum of nine months - on course to hit the NHS Plan target of six months by December 2005. The NHS is turning the corner."
The figures also revealed there were seven English residents waiting over 15 months for treatment. The breaches are solely concentrated at four Trusts, all of which have action plans in place to address the problem.
(GMcG)
According to the government, the NHS is on track to hit its target, that of no patient waiting more than a year for inpatient treatment, by the end of March.
The statistics reveal that there were only 6,700 patients waiting over 12 months for inpatient treatment at the end of February, 2,800 fewer than the previous month and 19,100 fewer than the same period last year.
The overall inpatient waiting list fell by 25,800 during February to 1.027m. The inpatient waiting list is 23,000 lower than this time last year, and over 130,600 lower than in March 1997.
Investment in the NHS has increased the annual budget by over £5 billion a year. The bulk of this extra resource has been spent on training and employing extra staff, investing in more advanced equipment and new groundbreaking drugs as well as building up extra capacity so the NHS can treat more patients more quickly and to a higher standard.
Health Secretary Alan Milburn said: "After decades when waiting times rose in the NHS they are now coming down. There is a long way to go but the NHS Plan is on schedule.
"With sustained investment now taking hold in the NHS in the next year it will come down again to a maximum of nine months - on course to hit the NHS Plan target of six months by December 2005. The NHS is turning the corner."
The figures also revealed there were seven English residents waiting over 15 months for treatment. The breaches are solely concentrated at four Trusts, all of which have action plans in place to address the problem.
(GMcG)
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04 July 2003
NHS waiting list figures slashed
The latest inpatient figures for May 2003 were released by the Department of Health today. The figures show that: There are 159 patients waiting over 12 months for inpatient treatment, which is over 21,700 less than at the end of March last year.
NHS waiting list figures slashed
The latest inpatient figures for May 2003 were released by the Department of Health today. The figures show that: There are 159 patients waiting over 12 months for inpatient treatment, which is over 21,700 less than at the end of March last year.
12 November 2004
NHS waiting lists fall to 17-year low
The total number of people on NHS waiting lists has fallen to its lowest level in 17 years, according to statistics published today. The department of health figures revealed that those on waiting lists dropped by 4,500 to 856,600 in September this year.
NHS waiting lists fall to 17-year low
The total number of people on NHS waiting lists has fallen to its lowest level in 17 years, according to statistics published today. The department of health figures revealed that those on waiting lists dropped by 4,500 to 856,600 in September this year.
26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
16 May 2003
Hospital waiting list falls below one million
The number of people waiting for NHS inpatient operations has fallen below a million for the first time in 10 years, according to the government's latest figures.
Hospital waiting list falls below one million
The number of people waiting for NHS inpatient operations has fallen below a million for the first time in 10 years, according to the government's latest figures.
06 June 2003
£50m drive to reduce orthopaedic waiting lists launched
A £50 million drive to eliminate long waits for NHS orthopaedic patients and boost capacity in the NHS, so that an extra 41,000 patients per year can receive an operation, was launched by Health Secretary Alan Milburn today.
£50m drive to reduce orthopaedic waiting lists launched
A £50 million drive to eliminate long waits for NHS orthopaedic patients and boost capacity in the NHS, so that an extra 41,000 patients per year can receive an operation, was launched by Health Secretary Alan Milburn today.
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