NHS scores success in cutting waiting times
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The number of patients waiting more than six months for hospital treatment on the NHS has almost halved in two years, the Department of Health said yesterday.
The number of patients waiting more than six months for hospital treatment on the NHS has almost halved in two years, the Department of Health said yesterday.
The speed of the fall has astonished observers and suggests the Government could achieve one of its key election pledges - to have no patient waiting more than six months by the end of 2005 - ahead of time.
In January 2004, there were 141,120 patients waiting over six months, down from 250,000 in January 2002, a 44 per cent cut.
The six-month target was one of the most important set in the NHS Plan published in July 2000 and its achievement would provide concrete evidence that the Government's huge investment in the NHS is paying off.
The size of the fall is remarkable because the number of patients waiting more than six months stayed constant throughout 2001-2, at around the 250,000 mark. It did not start to fall until the summer of 2002.
Since 1997, the NHS has taken on 237,700 extra staff, an 18 per cent increase to 1.3 million. John Reid, the Health Secretary said 84 per cent were directly involved in patient care while 3 per cent were managers or senior managers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments