Fall in patients waiting for diagnostics tests

The number of patients waiting over six weeks for one of the 15 key diagnostics tests at the end of January this year decreased by 91.6 per cent from the same month in 2008, it has been revealed.

A further finding from the Department of Health’s (DoH) diagnosis commentary found that the number of people put on hold over 13 weeks for one of the same investigations also fell by 15,900 patients ? a 94 per cent drop.

The data is intended to reveal whether or not the NHS has been successful in delivering the 18-week maximum wait from GP to treatment, which includes all diagnostics tests, by the end of last year.

According to the DoH, the figures show the public body’s progress in tackling the length of time individuals are delayed for procedures such as scans.

In other news, health secretary Alan Johnson announced this week that the organ donor system will be reviewed to ensure it is fair and adheres to the policies and practices within the framework of European law.