Waiting lists fall below one million

Friday, 15 August 2003 12:00 AM

The number of people waiting for treatment on the NHS fell to below one million in June.

Figures released toady indicate that the only 992,600 people were waiting for treatment at the end of June, following a fall of more than ten thousand over the month.

The figure previously dropped below one million at the end of March, but in recent months it has hovered a little above that significant barrier.

While the million mark is an important factor for public attention, the Government has regularly stressed that waiting times are more important, and will be pleased that the figures show a fall in waiting times as well.

The government has an initial target that no one should have to wait more than one year, and June saw another step towards achieving that aim. Only 34 people had been waiting for a year or more on at the end of June, though nine of these had been waiting for more than 15 months. The new figure represents a fall of more than 20,000 on the previous year.

However, as that goal appears to be within reach, the health minister John Hutton turned attentions to the pledge that no one should have to wait six months for an operation by 2005.

He commented: 'The extra resources and reforms we are putting into the NHS are starting to make a real difference to patients through reducing waiting times and shortening the waiting list. The health service is on course to ensure that by 2005 no one should have to wait longer than six months for an operation.'

As efforts are made to achieve that aim, criticism of targets is likely to continue with many professional claiming that they warp medical priorities.

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