This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Deferred waiting lists to be scrapped
27/08/2002
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm today announced his intention to scrap deferred waiting lists.
The move is in line with recommendations made earlier this year by Audit Scotland in a report commissioned by the Executive.
Patients can go on deferred lists for a number of reasons - because they are not ready for surgery for clinical reasons, they change their minds about treatment, or simply do not turn up for appointments.
At a briefing for Scottish political correspondents, Mr Chisholm said:
"I have decided to take action on the question of waiting lists, and have concluded that there will be a single list for everybody waiting for inpatient and day case treatment. That means an end to the deferred waiting lists. and I would like this change to come into force as soon as possible."
An action plan will shortly go out to trusts and boards based on the Audit Scotland recommendations. The NHS Information and Statistics Division has been asked to produce a report by the end of September on the implications for changing computer systems and administrative arrangements and provide a timetable for implementation.
The move is part of the Executive's drive for more transparency. If that means problems are more obvious, we are better to face up to them because patients are the ones who will benefit from this."