Waiting lists at 'all-time low'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7264575.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Waiting lists for hospital treatment in Scotland are at an all-time low, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Ms Sturgeon described new NHS statistics, which showed patients were being treated more quickly than ever before, as a "tremendous achievement".

Both in-patient and out-patient waiting times have been reduced and delays were also cut in other areas.

Ms Sturgeon said NHS Scotland had delivered a large number of demanding waiting times targets.

And she commended health boards across Scotland for meeting key targets and paid tribute to the work of NHS staff.

The NHS has also recorded the lowest ever waiting lists for both in-patients and out-patients since records began Nicola SturgeonHealth Secretary

The health secretary said: "This reflects a significant performance change across a wide range of hospital services, improving patients' experience of hospital care."

"The NHS has also recorded the lowest ever waiting lists for both in-patients and out-patients since records began.

"Fewer people are waiting and waiting times for access to hospital care are now at their lowest ever level."

The Conservatives praised frontline staff but called on the government to make more use of the independent health sector.

Tory health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "Nicola Sturgeon fails to understand the role of the independent sector.

"Rather than providing conflict and competition, the private sector sits alongside the NHS, providing more choice for patients and helping to reduce waiting times."

The figures, published by the Information and Statistics Division (ISD) of the NHS in Scotland showed that:

<ul class="bulletList"><li>No patient waited more than 18 weeks for a first out-patient consultation following GP referral or for hospital in-patient and day case treatment</li>

<li> The nine-week maximum waiting time for key diagnostic tests continued to be met ahead of schedule, with 99.7% compliance</li>

<li>A&E departments delivered 98% compliance with the four-hour target for admission, discharge or transfer</li>

<li>Cancer waiting times statistics for the quarter ended 30 September 2007 showed a 91.6 compliance with the 62-day target.</li>

<li>The waiting list for treatment stood at 66,813 - its lowest level since records began in 1992 - down 25,980 (28%) on a year ago</li>

<li>Waiting for a first out-patient consultation following referral was 159,997, down 29,411 (15.5%) on a year ago</li></ul>