MP Denounces "Mad" New NHS Rule on Minimum Waiting Times

5.16.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Sep 2006

In coming months patients wanting operations at local hospitals - Kingston and the West Middlesex - will be told that they cannot be operated on until they have waited for a "minimum" period. This is a panic new measure designed to "manage demand" and save money in cash strapped NHS organisations.

The information emerged when Twickenham MP Vincent Cable went to visit senior managers at Kingston hospital to discuss the implications of the £7m in cuts which it is being forced to make. The new system of "minimum" waiting lists is being employed throughout London.

Vincent Cable said that: "this new system is absolutely stark staring mad. How on earth is the public expected to understand why, if they need an operation at a local hospital and a surgeon and bed are available, the hospital will be penalised if the operation goes ahead too quickly. There will be surgeon's twiddling their thumbs while patients sit in pain or discomfort waiting for an operation. This is so mind bogglingly silly that it is difficult to see how half intelligent people could have dreamt it up. As I understand it, the fault lies with London level bureaucrats but I shall be trying to find out how far Ministers are implicated in this nonsense".

"Unfortunately, the practical implication is that there will be a lot of local people needing hip replacements or operations on varicose veins, whose GPs have secured a referral, who will now be told that they have to wait, even though local hospitals can carry out the operation".