29 May 2008
Increased numbers of patients attending Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals are starting their hospital treatment faster than ever before, statistics released today by the Department of Health reveal.
The figures show that 85% of patients who required admission to Epsom, St Helier or Sutton hospitals during 2007/08 started their treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks, matching the Government's target exactly. For patients not needing admission, 91% started their treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks - beating the Government's target of 90%. Wherever possible, patients will wait less time than 18 weeks.
Samantha Jones, Chief Executive, said: "We are extremely pleased with the Department of Health's figures. They show that we are delivering faster care to the people of Epsom, Sutton, Merton and the surrounding areas, with our patients having to wait less and less time from when they are referred to us by their GP.
"In the early 1990s waits of more than six months for a first outpatient appointment were not uncommon, and tens of thousands of patients waited more than two years for an operation. The 18 week wait maximum means that the longest a patient will wait after being referred by their GP until they start their treatment will be 18 weeks - that is, unless it is clinically appropriate to wait longer, or they choose to delay treatment. Wherever possible a patient will wait less than this.
"It is important to note that the 18 week wait maximum isn't the point at which the patient first visits the hospital, but when they actually start their treatment. This includes any hospital appointments, tests, scans or other procedures that they need before being treated.
"I must thank all of the Trust's staff and volunteers for making this possible. The target is a difficult one to meet and we wouldn't have met it without the continued commitment and hard work of our dedicated staff and volunteers.
"Today's announcement demonstrates that the Trust is firmly on track to meet the Government's target that by December 2008 every patient, for whom it is clinically appropriate and who wants it, will start their treatment within 18 weeks."
