Lib Dems pledge cut in 'hidden' waiting lists

Tuesday, 19 April 2005 12:00 AM

The Liberal Democrats have today pledged to cut waiting times for nearly half a million people who are stuck on 'hidden' waiting lists.

Research by the party has shown that patients are waiting up to a year for routine MRI scans, which are used to detect tumours, cancers and serious heart conditions, in one in five NHS trusts.

This is despite a quarter of trusts reporting that 25 per cent or more of their on-site scanning equipment was not being used at all.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said the party was committed to helping the "forgotten people" in the NHS system.

"At present, the Government only measures the time taken from when you are diagnosed with an illness until you are actually treated.

"These targeted waiting times are indeed being reduced. But those on the hidden waiting lists - those waiting for tests and scans to find out what is wrong with them - have seen no action."

Mr Kennedy said it was unacceptable that patients covered by targets were getting preferential treatment, while the rest suffered.

The Lib Dems survey also revealed that patients were waiting up to six months or more for routine MRI scans in two in five NHS trusts, and up to six months for CT scans, used for diagnosis of cancers, serious neurological and cardiovascular conditions, in one in seven trusts.

Five trusts surveyed revealed that 60 per cent or more of their on-site scanning capacity was left unutilised, while one reported than only ten per cent of its scanning capacity was being used.

Health spokesman Paul Burstow said: "Under a Liberal Democrat government, there will be no more hidden waits. Patients will see shorter waiting times to get a diagnosis so that they can start their treatment more quickly."

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