12 April 2002
Setting the scene for next week's Budget, which is expected to increase NHS funding, the Department of Health rushed out statistics showing that extra funding had enabled the service to all but meet waiting-time targets for the end of March.
No-one should have waited longer than 15 months for an operation by the end of last month, and in provisional data published this week, only two people waited that long. The target of no patient waiting more than six months for an outpatient consultation was not met – 500 patients were in this category.
The confederation's chief executive Gill Morgan said that the figures showed that the NHS could deliver improved care given adequate funding. 'These progress reports demonstrate that when clear targets are set, priorities identified and the resources provided, the NHS will rise to the challenge. The chancellor should take comfort from this evidence that the NHS is a safe place for his money and that investment produces results,' she said.
'Before we rush to look ahead, let us take a moment to recognise what has been achieved. It would do a lot for morale if we could just say thank you to staff,' she added.
Health Secretary Alan Milburn insisted that the NHS Plan would be delivered. Extra resources produced results, he said. 'We are at first base in what will be a long haul to bring about necessary improvements in the NHS.'
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