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Waiting list figures give false comfort - Burstow
November 14, 2003 6:00 PM
Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, today accused the Government of putting 'presentation before patients' as the Government released its waiting list figures for September 2003.
Although the figures show a general decline in waiting times, the statistics are undermined by reports that figures are being fiddled to appear more positive.
Paul Burstow MP said:
"In the 21st century it is appalling that people have to wait in pain for their operations.
"These statistics are misleading. No one can believe the Government's figures when stories are coming out every day about waiting lists being fiddled. Patients can languish for months waiting for appointments before they even appear on the list.
"These figures give false comfort. They make people lose trust in politicians and lose confidence in the NHS. Presentation is coming before patients. Waiting time figures must be clear and honest.
"The Government's tick box targets encourage this fiddling of the figures and put pressure on hospitals to make the sickest patients wait longer simply to meet the target."
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