news story

16th March 2009

'Why Are We Waiting?' - MP Protests at Long NHS Waits for South Glos Residents

New figures for the NHS in England show that South Gloucestershire residents are waiting longer than the national average for hospital treatment. The figures, unearthed by Northavon MP Steve Webb, show that the average (mean) waiting time in England for hospital treatment is 60 days whereas in South Gloucestershire it is 71 days.

In England, half of all patients are seen within 42 days, whilst the South Gloucestershire figure is a fortnight longer at 56 days. In neighbouring Bristol the average waiting times are within a few days of the national average. The mean wait in Bristol is 64 days (against the average of 60) and half of all Bristolians are seen in 43 days (against a 42 day national average).

Steve Webb said:

"Although waiting times are down very dramatically compared with when I was first elected in 1997, it is unacceptable that local residents are still having to wait longer than people in other parts of England.

"The typical wait in South Gloucestershire is more than a fortnight longer than the figure for the country as a whole. Whilst that might not sound very much, if you are waiting for treatment and in pain, two weeks can be a long wait.

"Given that neighbouring Bristol does not suffer this relative disadvantage, and that we share many of the same hospitals and services, I cannot see why our waiting times are markedly worse. I will be raising this issue with local NHS chiefs in my next meetings with them".

Note:

Figures for NHS waiting times for each local authority can be found <here>. The figures quoted are the latest figures and relate to the last complete financial year, 2007/08.