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02/06/2005
Minister welcomes latest reductions in waiting lists
Health Minister, Shaun Woodward, has welcomed the latest figures showing a further reduction in hospital waiting times but said they were still far too long.
The figures revealed that waiting lists are at the lowest level in five years and the number of people waiting more than 18 months for treatment (12 months for cardiac surgery) is at the lowest level for almost 10 years.
Commenting on the release of the figures, the Minister said: “I acknowledge the continued reduction in waiting lists which are now at their lowest level in five years. Furthermore, I am encouraged that the number of people waiting for over 18 months is now at the lowest level in almost 10 years. However, despite these reductions, I am concerned that any patient should have to wait such a long time for treatment, and I recognise the pain and anxiety that this can cause.”
However the figures showed that the number of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased by 1.5% since December 2004.
The Minister said: “While almost 70% of outpatients were seen within three months, I am extremely concerned that the number of people waiting for a first hospital outpatient appointment continues to rise. Reducing the number of patients waiting for an outpatient appointment and the time they wait will be one of my key priorities over the coming year.
Mr Woodward said that he was "committed to delivering much shorter waiting times for all patients" and pledged to work to ensure that "significant improvements are achieved as soon as possible".
The statistics showed that 95% of inpatients and day cases seen during the quarter had been on the waiting list for less than 12 months; 73% had been waiting less than three months prior to treatment.
The total number of people waiting for inpatient or day case treatment has decreased by 4.9% during the last year. This represents a reduction of 3.5% on the quarter ending December 2004, and is now at the lowest level in five years.
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased by 12.9% during the last year and now stands at 167,138.
(SP)
The figures revealed that waiting lists are at the lowest level in five years and the number of people waiting more than 18 months for treatment (12 months for cardiac surgery) is at the lowest level for almost 10 years.
Commenting on the release of the figures, the Minister said: “I acknowledge the continued reduction in waiting lists which are now at their lowest level in five years. Furthermore, I am encouraged that the number of people waiting for over 18 months is now at the lowest level in almost 10 years. However, despite these reductions, I am concerned that any patient should have to wait such a long time for treatment, and I recognise the pain and anxiety that this can cause.”
However the figures showed that the number of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased by 1.5% since December 2004.
The Minister said: “While almost 70% of outpatients were seen within three months, I am extremely concerned that the number of people waiting for a first hospital outpatient appointment continues to rise. Reducing the number of patients waiting for an outpatient appointment and the time they wait will be one of my key priorities over the coming year.
Mr Woodward said that he was "committed to delivering much shorter waiting times for all patients" and pledged to work to ensure that "significant improvements are achieved as soon as possible".
The statistics showed that 95% of inpatients and day cases seen during the quarter had been on the waiting list for less than 12 months; 73% had been waiting less than three months prior to treatment.
The total number of people waiting for inpatient or day case treatment has decreased by 4.9% during the last year. This represents a reduction of 3.5% on the quarter ending December 2004, and is now at the lowest level in five years.
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased by 12.9% during the last year and now stands at 167,138.
(SP)
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