NHS says test waiting times cut

Patients waiting to undergo key diagnostic tests – including MRI and CT scans, audiology and gastro function tests – are doing so for shorter times, according to official figures.

Department of Health statistics reveal key diagnostic waiting times have dropped by 97 per cent over a two-year period.

Figures for March show the number of people waiting for diagnosis for more six weeks was 12,900 ? three per cent of the total number of patients waiting.

This compares to 243,000 in March 2007 and 404,000 in April 2006, when the department started collected waiting times data.

Health minister Ben Bradshaw said: “Faster diagnosis saves lives and reduces anxiety. This is a fantastic achievement by NHS staff.”

He added that this success would help the government achieve a situation where “no-one will have to wait longer than 18 weeks from GP referral to treatment” by the end of 2008.

Recently the government announced a 105 million pound investment to support new GP practices in areas that were underserved.