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| PM pledges 'eight-week op waits' | PM pledges 'eight-week op waits' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Patients are set to wait an average of eight weeks from GP referral to treatment in a push to bring down waiting times, Tony Blair has said. | Patients are set to wait an average of eight weeks from GP referral to treatment in a push to bring down waiting times, Tony Blair has said. |
| It is part of a drive to ensure no patient waits longer than 18 weeks for their operation by the end of 2008. | It is part of a drive to ensure no patient waits longer than 18 weeks for their operation by the end of 2008. |
| Thirteen trusts are seeking to get the majority of patients treated within this time by the end of this year. | Thirteen trusts are seeking to get the majority of patients treated within this time by the end of this year. |
| But critics said targets distorted clinical priorities and patients wanted personalised care. | But critics said targets distorted clinical priorities and patients wanted personalised care. |
| We're not going to get away without doing more work Matthew Kershaw, East Kent District Hospitals | We're not going to get away without doing more work Matthew Kershaw, East Kent District Hospitals |
| The prime minister said: "The average wait is going to be seven to eight weeks, which effectively means an end to waiting as we know it. | |
| "It will completely alter what's been the biggest problem in the NHS." | "It will completely alter what's been the biggest problem in the NHS." |
| He said achieving that target would require a great deal of "change and innovation" in the NHS. | He said achieving that target would require a great deal of "change and innovation" in the NHS. |
| Some trusts are known to be considering extending operating times, with theatres set to be open in the evenings an at weekends. | Some trusts are known to be considering extending operating times, with theatres set to be open in the evenings an at weekends. |
| And Mr Blair said he wanted to see a "framework" in place to allow the NHS to meet the 18-week target before he leaves office. | And Mr Blair said he wanted to see a "framework" in place to allow the NHS to meet the 18-week target before he leaves office. |
| However, critics point out that some trusts are currently having to delay operations until the next financial year begins in April because they cannot afford to carry them out earlier. | However, critics point out that some trusts are currently having to delay operations until the next financial year begins in April because they cannot afford to carry them out earlier. |
| The push comes as the Times newspaper reveals a poll of 3,000 doctors found more than half believe there has been no improvement in the NHS since 2002 when the government started to improve funding. | The push comes as the Times newspaper reveals a poll of 3,000 doctors found more than half believe there has been no improvement in the NHS since 2002 when the government started to improve funding. |
| And almost three quarters felt the money had not been well spent. | And almost three quarters felt the money had not been well spent. |
| '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. |
| The reality is that in many parts of the country PCTs deep in deficit are slowing down patient referrals to hospital Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb | The 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 patients will also be urged to play their part by making sure they keep their appointments. | But patients will also be urged to play their part by making sure they keep their appointments. |
| The government's target says no patient should wait longer than 18 weeks for their operation by the end of 2008 - although there are likely to be exceptions for clinical reasons or if patients opt to wait longer. | The government's target says no patient should wait longer than 18 weeks for their operation by the end of 2008 - although there are likely to be exceptions for clinical reasons or if patients opt to wait longer. |
| The 13 trusts who are seeking "early achiever" status have been set a target that 90% of patients needing hospital admission and 95% of those who can be cared for in other ways will be treated within 18 weeks by the end of 2007. | The 13 trusts who are seeking "early achiever" status have been set a target that 90% of patients needing hospital admission and 95% of those who can be cared for in other ways will be treated within 18 weeks by the end of 2007. |
| In East Kent, 80% of those patients who do not need to be admitted for operations are already seen within that time. | In East Kent, 80% of those patients who do not need to be admitted for operations are already seen within that time. |
| But in orthopaedics, only just over 10% of patients go from GP referral to operation within 18 weeks. | But in orthopaedics, only just over 10% of patients go from GP referral to operation within 18 weeks. |
| Matthew Kershaw, chief operating officer at East Kent District Hospitals, said: "We're not going to get away without doing more work. We're looking at whether we do additional theatre sessions during the day, in the evening and at weekends." | Matthew Kershaw, chief operating officer at East Kent District Hospitals, said: "We're not going to get away without doing more work. We're looking at whether we do additional theatre sessions during the day, in the evening and at weekends." |
| 'Efficient care' | 'Efficient care' |
| But Dr Jonathan Fielden, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association's consultants' committee, said more was needed than simply looking at longer opening times for operating theatres. | But Dr Jonathan Fielden, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association's consultants' committee, said more was needed than simply looking at longer opening times for operating theatres. |
| "Patients don't want to be treated as production line items - they want personal care." | "Patients don't want to be treated as production line items - they want personal care." |
| HAVE YOUR SAY How will the extra hours be funded? Where will the staff be sourced from? JoJo Kavanagh, Essex Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY How will the extra hours be funded? Where will the staff be sourced from? JoJo Kavanagh, Essex Send us your comments |
| He said only concerted efforts by GPs and hospital staff working together would improve the patient's "pathway" through their NHS care. | He said only concerted efforts by GPs and hospital staff working together would improve the patient's "pathway" through their NHS care. |
| Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation which represents over 90% of NHS organisations, said: "This is probably the most challenging target that the health service has been asked to take on. | Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation which represents over 90% of NHS organisations, said: "This is probably the most challenging target that the health service has been asked to take on. |
| "Meeting the 18 week target by December 2008 will require many NHS trusts to completely redesign how patients flow through the system." | "Meeting the 18 week target by December 2008 will require many NHS trusts to completely redesign how patients flow through the system." |
| Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb said: "It makes sense to maximise the use of theatre space to treat patients as quickly as possible. | Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb said: "It makes sense to maximise the use of theatre space to treat patients as quickly as possible. |
| "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." |
| Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that, given the amount of investment in the NHS, waiting lists should already have fallen further." | Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that, given the amount of investment in the NHS, waiting lists should already have fallen further." |