Government unable to act on ‘phantom’ waiting times

“PHANTOM” NHS waiting times for routine referrals are “completely unacceptable”, the Government has said, while admitting it is powerless to intervene.

Four regional health groups, collectively covering more than a million patients, were yesterday revealed to be considering minimum three-month waits for procedures such as knee and cataract operations even where doctors are available to treat patients sooner.

Local health bosses said they were attempting to ensure public money was spent effectively, adding that some patients “get better over time”.

Last night the Department of Health criticised the artificial delays, but said that under the current bottom-up NHS structure, its hands were tied.

In 2011 the Department banned blanket waits, describing them as “unfair” and prolonging the suffering of patients. However, since the NHS restructuring that took place under Andrew Lansley, and in particular the creation of clinical commissioning groups, the ban cannot be reimposed.

NHS bosses appeared to condone the practice, saying CCGS faced “difficult choices about what can be afforded within the funds Parliament has made available”. Despite the funding constraints, patient groups and doctors’ leaders have branded the artificial waiting times in Lincolnshire East, West, South and South West CCGS as cruel.

Trafford CCG in Manchester also admitted it is considering imposing mandatory waiting times amid warnings that the practice may spread.