Waiting lists still growing, NTPF report reveals

THERE are almost 30,000 people waiting for surgery, up by 2,200 since the last comparable figures in 2003.

More than 6,500 patients are waiting longer than six months for surgery, despite a Government scheme set up with a fanfare three years ago to cut backlogs.

Figures published yesterday by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) suggest that there are 29,400 people on waiting lists for elective treatment, compared to 27,200 when waiting list figures were last published in September 2003.