400,000 people 'still waiting more than a year for NHS treatment'

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Almost 400,000 patients are still waiting more than a year for NHS treatment, a think tank claimed today.

Government figures showed a rise in the number of patients being admitted for treatment within the 18-week target from referral.

The latest figures, for October 2007, showed 60 per cent were treated in that timeframe, up from 57 per cent the previous month.

But right-wing think-tank Civitas warned the figures were concealing a high number forced to wait far longer.

It said 713,513 (or 18 per cent) of patients needing elective treatment were waiting longer than 36 weeks, with 387,152 (10 per cent) of those having waited over a year.

Despite improvements, current rates are not enough to ensure the Government hits its target for all patients to be treated within 18 weeks by the end of the year.

Civitas also warned of a postcode lottery, with 33 per cent of patients at Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust (PCT) treated within 18 weeks, compared with 82% in Blackpool PCT and Telford and Wrekin PCT.

James Gubb, director of the health unit at Civitas, said: "Instead of political targets, performance should be driven by choice and competition - a self-sustaining and much more positive mechanism for change.

"If this means more patients choosing to have their treatment in the independent sector or the better NHS hospitals, then these should be allowed to expand in response.

"As is the case elsewhere, it is the ability of patients to compliment, complain and ultimately take their business elsewhere that will drive providers in the NHS to improve.

"GPs must be in the driving seat, offering patients real choice and ensuring this mechanism is available."