Government describes ‘challenge’ of 18 week NHS target

The government has laid out the “challenge” ahead for the NHS if it is to meet the government’s target of a patient receiving treatment within 18 weeks of referral from their GP by the end of 2008.

Prior to plans for the health service to formerly measure the length of time it takes for patients to receive treatment after they are referred from the start of next year, the Department of Health has conducted a baseline exercise to estimate the existing referral to treatment (RTT) times.

The study revealed that around 70-80 per cent of non-admitted patients and 35 per cent of admitted patients received treatment within the proposed 18 week target.

Andy Burnham, health minister, said: “This snapshot of existing RTT times shows the challenge ahead for the NHS to meet this target of maximum 18-week waits by the end of 2008 and so improve services for patients.”

He added that, despite the extent of this challenge, he was “confident” that the NHS would continue to shorten waiting time and enhance patient care.

Last week, the government announced a clarification to the 18 week clock rules, to ensure consistency when measuring RTT times in patients.