The number of patients waiting months for tests to detect cancer and other killer diseases has almost doubled since NHS waiting targets were scrapped, according to the Government’s own figures.

Latest data show more than 5,700 people waiting in excess of six weeks for MRI scans, ultrasounds and other tests. Cancer charities and patients’ groups said they were “shocked and alarmed” at the rapid increase in the numbers being forced to wait before they are even diagnosed.

Until they were scrapped in July, the waiting targets had stipulated that treatment for any disease should start within 18 weeks of a patient seeing their GP. This put pressure on hospitals to carry out tests quickly, so that patients could be diagnosed and booked in for surgery or other treatment.

Last night John Healey, the shadow health secretary, accused the Government of “putting both patients and the NHS at risk”.

…more at The Telegraph

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1. Liberal Conspiracy

   Coalition scraps NHS targets, waiting lists double http://bit.ly/aEa6Np

2. sheppeyescapee

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3. Els Freshwater

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4. Mike Green

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5. Elly M

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6. Melissa Nicole Harry

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8. Hayrr X

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9. Tom King

   RT @libcon: Coalition scraps NHS targets, waiting lists double http://bit.ly/aEa6Np

10. Jack Stone

    Govt scraps NHS targets, waiting lists double | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/iHg3MpX

11. SMS PolicyWatch

    RT @libcon: Coalition scraps NHS targets, waiting lists double http://bit.ly/aEa6Np

12. rWorld2 » Blog Archive » Govt scraps NHS targets, waiting lists double via Liberal Conspiracy

    [...] Posted by george on October 25th, 2010 via liberalconspiracy.org [...]

13. Pucci Dellanno

    RT @libcon: Coalition scraps NHS targets, waiting lists double http://bit.ly/aEa6Np

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