25
Sep 2018
18 week waiting time target ‘will never be met again and should be scrapped’
Health chiefs have warned that the NHS target to treat patients within 18 weeks of their GP referral should be ditched amid warnings that many hospitals have given up on targets for non-urgent operations to focus on A&E and cancer treatment.
Although the target is stipulated in the NHS constitution, patients often have to wait much longer for treatment.
This news could mean that thousands more would have to wait longer for routine procedures, including hip and knee replacements, and cataract surgey.
Simon Stevens, head of the NH, has suggested the 18 week target should be changed to reflect ‘significant clinical practice changes.”
Chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said “many hospital trusts are finding it difficult to deliver all the performance targets in A&E, cancer and elective surgery.
“Trusts rightly prioritise according to clinical need.
In practice, given the pressures facing the service, this can mean slipping elective surgery performance.
“The long-term plan must be ruthlessly honest about what can be achieved for the available money and what the priorities should be.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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