NHS ‘to abolish waiting lists’

The government will today announce that progress within the NHS will result in the abolition of the traditional waiting-list system for operations in the UK in the near future.

According to reports, prime minister Tony Blair is to announce that 13 “early achievers” are to meet the government target of 18 weeks between referral and treatment a year ahead of the rest of the health service.

Andy Burnham, health minister, told BBC Five Live that schemes including offering staff the option of working longer days was key to realising the vision of ending the traditional system of waiting lists for hospital treatment by the end of 2008, the target date set out by the government.

“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.”

The prime minister will add that as a result of plans to introduce round-the-clock surgery to maximise the use of operation theatres, the average wait for treatment on the NHS will be reduced to seven to eight weeks.

Additionally, plans to increase the role played by the private sector in the health service will also be announced.