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London hospitals at 'high risk' of missing treatment deadlines
Sophie Goodchild, Health Editor16 Dec 2008
A KEY government pledge to reduce waiting times for hospital treatment is in disarray as London trusts struggle to meet targets.
The Standard can reveal that health bosses have identified at least four trusts at "high risk" of failing to treat patients within 18 weeks from GP referral. Crisis talks have taken place with another three London hospitals to tackle their patient backlogs.
Specialist hospitals are also unable to meet the deadline of 31 December imposed by minister for treating 90 per cent of patients within 18 weeks of referral.
London hospital trusts struggling to meet targets include Whipps Cross, Newham, Barts, the London and Barking, Havering and Redbridge.
Hardest hit have been those dealing with spinal, hip and joint complaints because of a shortage of specialists.
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore has confirmed it will not reach the 90 per cent target until January. A spokesman told the Standard: "There's currently an increased demand for staff in a number of specialities, in particular spinal surgery. We continue to review our workforce plans to ensure we have the required number of consultant staff.
"We aim to meet the target in January despite significant challenges in spinal surgery." Great Ormond Street has resorted to offering parents of sick children the option of treatment 150 miles away in Sheffield while the hospital tries to recruit another orthopaedic surgeon.
Ministers have lauded the 18-week policy as a key way of improving the health service. Waiting times overall are at their shortest since the health service began. But this achievement is not evenly spread throughout the country and experts have warned the target distorts clinical priorities.
Professor Peter Kay, a government adviser on the 18-week target for orthopaedics, told the Standard the danger was that overburdened hospitals were resorting to crisis measures that were not in the best interests of patients.
These include recruiting surgeons from abroad or sending patients to other parts of the country.
The surgeon, who is also vice president of the British Orthopaedic Association, said: "It's been unacceptable that people have been waiting a long time and having a target is good.
"But we are unearthing a big un-met need because people now know they can be treated quicker. The danger is people turn to solutions like drafting surgeons in from abroad or sending patients to other parts of the country.
"We're not honouring patient choice. Quite a few of the solutions the Government has put in are not sustainable. There should be more investment in local hospitals instead."
This comes as a report published this week reveals that nearly three quarters of health trusts including hospitals and primary care trusts warn their resources are being "stretched" to meet the 18-week target.
The findings from consultants BearingPoint also reveals that health bosses are worried that patients' expectations will rise once waiting times improve.
Managing director Ian Hill said: "It's clear that PCTs are working hard to meet the deadline, but they have yet to map out a way of keeping up that initial success particularly if, as they expect, demand increases."
Reader views (4)
RNOH's problems stem from having poorly trained staff and the fact Dr's cancel clinics at last minute. This then cause's a backlog.
- Triffidqueen, Desk in London, 17/12/2008 08:53
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As long as the poison of political correctness is allowed to get in the way of enforcing the fact that the NHS is a NATIONAL - not a global - health service, this picture wont' change. The rule should be that anyone coming to the UK to work must be here six months before qualifying for NHS treatment. Up till then, they must have medical insurance no matter where they're from.
- Joannie, London, England, 16/12/2008 19:14
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Gary, Amersham - I think you'll find that abortions for Polish nationals don't have much of an impact on patient backlogs at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital...
In fact I think you'll find it doesn't have much of an impact on patient waiting lists anywhere as abortion isn't generally acknowledged as an orthopaedic procedure.
Your complaint does indeed say it all about your personal prejudices. You mention the British taxpayer pays - but there are a fair few Polish taxpayers paying as well.
If you worked legitimately and paid taxes in another country wouldn't you expect to have full access to their health service as well?
- Tim, London, 16/12/2008 14:26
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this amazing report may shed light on the problems...?
Ten thousand Polish women had abortions in Britain last year, it has been reported (Polish Health Journal), in procedures which are thought to have cost the NHS between £5 and £10 million — all fully paid for by the British taxpayer.
In Poland, foreign nationals seeking medical attention are returned to their country of origin.
Thousands of Polish women have come to Britain specifically for the abortion procedure, which is illegal in Catholic Poland.
People coming to Britain as temporary workers are given a National Insurance number, which allows them to register with a doctor and have NHS treatment.
A pill given to women under nine weeks pregnant costs the NHS about £500 while an operation necessary for those further into pregnancy costs about £1,600 including after-care.
The figures were reportedly disclosed by the Polish Federation for Women and Family Planning. Aleksandra Jozefowska, a spokesman for the Federation, told The Sun: “On Polish internet sites you can find lots of information on how to obtain an abortion in Britain. And every week I have two or three phone calls from women who want to know about abortion in England.”
One London doctor was reported to have told the newspaper: “As long as they get an NHS number, they haven’t got a problem. They can say: ‘I didn’t know I was pregnant until I got here, I’m in an impossible situation and need help’.”
says it all really..The Global NHS.
- Gary, amersham, 16/12/2008 11:34
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