DoH: NHS bed waits at record low

The Department of Health has released new statistics revealing that waiting time figures and those for cancelled operations are at an all-time low, while the number of critical beds available is at a record high.

According to the recently published analysis, the number of patients on NHS waiting lists has fallen 348,000 to 774,000 since 1997, while the health service reports that 3,359 critical care beds are now available – an increase of 42 per cent in the last seven years.

The department claims that, despite allegations of cancellations and bed cuts, the NHS is delivering “top-class” patient care.

Andy Burnham, health minister, said: “Investment, reform and the hard work of NHS staff are delivering the fastest access to care for patients and they should be congratulated.

“The NHS has slashed waiting times and given patients the kind of certainty about their treatment that even up to a few years ago was not thought possible.”

He added that government investment in the health services has seen a rise in the capacity for critical care, with previous targets for bed increases now met by the NHS.

Last week, the government announced that it was accepting the recommendations of the 2007 pay review body with regards to GPs and NHS staff.