This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6374093.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
PM outlining '24/7 surgery' plans PM outlining '24/7 surgery' plans
(about 7 hours later)
"Round-the-clock" surgery could be introduced in England to help cut NHS waiting times to a maximum of 18 weeks, Tony Blair is to say."Round-the-clock" surgery could be introduced in England to help cut NHS waiting times to a maximum of 18 weeks, Tony Blair is to say.
He will suggest the idea of keeping operating theatres open "out of hours" during a visit to a London hospital.He will suggest the idea of keeping operating theatres open "out of hours" during a visit to a London hospital.
The government wants the 18-week limit between GP referral and treatment to be met by the end of 2008 - 13 trusts are committing to hit it a year early.The government wants the 18-week limit between GP referral and treatment to be met by the end of 2008 - 13 trusts are committing to hit it a year early.
The Tories said the target would distort priorities in the NHS.The Tories said the target would distort priorities in the NHS.
'National campaign''National campaign'
Next month a nationwide campaign will aim "to focus the activities of all NHS staff" on cutting waiting times.Next month a nationwide campaign will aim "to focus the activities of all NHS staff" on cutting waiting times.
Hospital bosses will also be encouraged to send more patients abroad and make greater use of the private sector.Hospital bosses will also be encouraged to send more patients abroad and make greater use of the private sector.
Mr Blair hopes that with an extra push the average wait from referral by GP to treatment could be cut to seven or eight weeks.Mr Blair hopes that with an extra push the average wait from referral by GP to treatment could be cut to seven or eight weeks.
The reality is that in many parts of the country PCTs deep in deficit are slowing down patient referrals to hospital Liberal Democrat Norman LambThe reality is that in many parts of the country PCTs deep in deficit are slowing down patient referrals to hospital Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb
But he will also urge patients to play their part by making sure they keep their appointments.But he will also urge patients to play their part by making sure they keep their appointments.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who will accompany Mr Blair on Monday's visit, said: "This is about the NHS helping change people's lives by improving care and cutting unnecessary delays.Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who will accompany Mr Blair on Monday's visit, said: "This is about the NHS helping change people's lives by improving care and cutting unnecessary delays.
"This will lead to a much better experience for patients.""This will lead to a much better experience for patients."
Health minister Andy Burnham said: "The necessary improvements will be achieved by NHS staff, clinicians and managers working together locally to understand how they can reduce unnecessary delays, rather than being told what to do and how to do it from Whitehall."Health minister Andy Burnham said: "The necessary improvements will be achieved by NHS staff, clinicians and managers working together locally to understand how they can reduce unnecessary delays, rather than being told what to do and how to do it from Whitehall."
He told BBC Five Live that offering staff the option of working longer days was a "fantastic vision" that would end hospital waiting "as we have known it" by 2008.
Some hospitals are already keeping their operating theatres open longer.Some hospitals are already keeping their operating theatres open longer.
In Yeovil District Hospital, in Somerset, staff work late four nights a week, keeping theatres and clinics running.In Yeovil District Hospital, in Somerset, staff work late four nights a week, keeping theatres and clinics running.
'Efficient care''Efficient care'
A Downing Street spokesman said: "Hitting the 18-week target will see an end of waiting for treatment as we traditionally know it.A Downing Street spokesman said: "Hitting the 18-week target will see an end of waiting for treatment as we traditionally know it.
"It will mean an end to worrying about unfixed appointments, an end to concerns about falling off waiting lists and delivering the sort of efficient care that people assumed in the past could only be provided to the privileged or lucky.""It will mean an end to worrying about unfixed appointments, an end to concerns about falling off waiting lists and delivering the sort of efficient care that people assumed in the past could only be provided to the privileged or lucky."
Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb said in some areas it was primary care trusts (PCTs) not hospitals that needed attention.Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb said in some areas it was primary care trusts (PCTs) not hospitals that needed attention.
"It makes sense to maximise the use of theatre space to treat patients as quickly as possible," he said."It makes sense to maximise the use of theatre space to treat patients as quickly as possible," he said.
"But the reality is that in many parts of the country PCTs deep in deficit are slowing down patient referrals to hospital, extending waiting times rather than reducing them.""But the reality is that in many parts of the country PCTs deep in deficit are slowing down patient referrals to hospital, extending waiting times rather than reducing them."
But Mr Burnham said this was not the "true picture". The vast majority of NHS trusts were "improving and bringing down waiting lists", he said.
The Conservatives said the waiting-time target would distort priorities in the health service and divert resources from where they are most needed.The Conservatives said the waiting-time target would distort priorities in the health service and divert resources from where they are most needed.