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06/06/2003
£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.
The funding will be invested in NHS orthopaedic services including those in NHS Diagnosis and Treatment Centres (DTCs) and spent on modernising theatres and buying new equipment or upgrading existing facilities.
It is hoped that the extra resources will deliver shorter waiting times for patients and ensure that no orthopaedic patient is waiting more than six months for treatment by December 2005.
Around one-in-four patients on the overall NHS waiting list need orthopaedic surgery. Many of these are elderly patients whose quality of life is affected by their condition which causes immobility, pain and discomfort.
Official figures at the end of March 2003 indicate that 254,496 orthopaedic patients were waiting for inpatient treatment in England - a fall of almost 10,000 since last December.
By the end of next year no NHS orthopaedic patient should ever wait more than nine months, with urgent patients being seen more quickly, the government says.
The £50 million has been targeted on areas with the greatest orthopaedic capacity problems, which have been identified by local strategic health authorities to benefit the most from the extra investment, which will reduce their orthopaedic waiting lists and times.
Health Secretary Alan Milburn said: "With sustained investment and reform now really beginning to bite in the NHS, in the next year the maximum waiting time will fall further. There is a long way to go, but the NHS is now turning the corner.
"We are now starting to see real improvements across the board. There is much more to do, but these results show an improving trend is now clearly established. Far fewer people are waiting a long time at every stage of treatment."
(GMcG)
The funding will be invested in NHS orthopaedic services including those in NHS Diagnosis and Treatment Centres (DTCs) and spent on modernising theatres and buying new equipment or upgrading existing facilities.
It is hoped that the extra resources will deliver shorter waiting times for patients and ensure that no orthopaedic patient is waiting more than six months for treatment by December 2005.
Around one-in-four patients on the overall NHS waiting list need orthopaedic surgery. Many of these are elderly patients whose quality of life is affected by their condition which causes immobility, pain and discomfort.
Official figures at the end of March 2003 indicate that 254,496 orthopaedic patients were waiting for inpatient treatment in England - a fall of almost 10,000 since last December.
By the end of next year no NHS orthopaedic patient should ever wait more than nine months, with urgent patients being seen more quickly, the government says.
The £50 million has been targeted on areas with the greatest orthopaedic capacity problems, which have been identified by local strategic health authorities to benefit the most from the extra investment, which will reduce their orthopaedic waiting lists and times.
Health Secretary Alan Milburn said: "With sustained investment and reform now really beginning to bite in the NHS, in the next year the maximum waiting time will fall further. There is a long way to go, but the NHS is now turning the corner.
"We are now starting to see real improvements across the board. There is much more to do, but these results show an improving trend is now clearly established. Far fewer people are waiting a long time at every stage of treatment."
(GMcG)
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22 September 2008
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
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.
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.
06 July 2005
Patients prefer better care to faster treatment, report claims
Patients would prefer to wait for better hospital treatment, rather than go to a hospital with shorter waiting lists. A study, conducted by RAND Europe, the King’s Fund and City University, found that patients were more likely to choose to be treated at a hospital with a good reputation rather than one that has shorter waiting times.
Patients prefer better care to faster treatment, report claims
Patients would prefer to wait for better hospital treatment, rather than go to a hospital with shorter waiting lists. A study, conducted by RAND Europe, the King’s Fund and City University, found that patients were more likely to choose to be treated at a hospital with a good reputation rather than one that has shorter waiting times.
14 November 2011
Lansley Criticised Over Minimum Wait Ban
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has come under criticism on Monday after banning Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) from enforcing minimum waiting times on referrals. Mr Lanley claimed the move was in the interests of "patient choice", while he also announced caps on operations that "do not take account of the healthcare needs of individual patients".
Lansley Criticised Over Minimum Wait Ban
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has come under criticism on Monday after banning Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) from enforcing minimum waiting times on referrals. Mr Lanley claimed the move was in the interests of "patient choice", while he also announced caps on operations that "do not take account of the healthcare needs of individual patients".
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