Increase in patients on hospital waiting lists

Saturday 08 June 2002 00:00 BST

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The number of patients on hospital waiting lists rose by 22,700 in England last year, Government statistics revealed yesterday.

Those waiting more than 12 months for treatment fell by 1,200 (5.4 per cent) to 21,200 during the month of April, the lowest figure since September 1996. But the total number of patients waiting to be admitted to hospital stood at 1.046 million in April, up 22,700 on last year.

The figures also show there were 242 patients waiting more than 15 months for treatment in England, of which 235 were at Royal United Hospitals, Bath, where mismanagement has been discovered.

Health minister John Hutton said: "We want to ensure that by 2005 no one is waiting more than six months for treatment."

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