DoH announces appointment of ‘patient champion’ to reduce waiting lists

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced the appointment of Neil Betteridge as patient and public champion who will articulate patients’ views and help reduce NHS waiting lists.

Mr Betteridge, chief executive of Arthritis Care, will work with patient groups, local NHS bodies and other important stakeholders to help put patient concerns at the centre of efforts to meet government targets on waiting lists by 2008.

Meanwhile, the government has announced statistics revealing waiting times on the NHS to be at a record low, with 701,000 individuals currently waiting for surgery.

Furthermore, the figures state that 99 per cent of patients are waiting less than 11 weeks for a first outpatient appointment and a further 98 per cent will wait less than 20 weeks if requiring surgery.

Andy Burnham, health minister, said: “Our commitment to improving the NHS means that by 2008 all patients will be assured of faster treatment.

“Not simply another target, 18 weeks captures the whole patient journey – from referral to start of treatment – with many patients seen even more quickly than that”

Mr Burnham added that the appointment of Mr Betteridge highlighted the dedication of the department to develop the health service into one that is genuinely led by patients.

In March 2007, the DoH announced plans for health professionals to give “information prescriptions” in some cases in order to better inform individuals of their condition and facilitate improved patient control over treatment.