Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust is bracing itself for a possible investigation after it was revealed nine other hospital trusts have been doctoring waiting list figures to hit government targets.

Although it is not one of the nine trusts involved, Epsom and St Helier is one of 13 trusts recommended by the Department of Health to be checked by the National Audit Office.

The nine trusts already found to be making "inappropriate adjustments" to their waiting lists include NHS trusts in the south east such as University College London and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare.

The NAO report , called in-patient and out-patient waiting in the NHS, recommended investigations should be made into all trusts where more than 10 per cent of patients were suspended from the waiting list and more than two per cent of pati ents were waiting more than 12 months for operations.

Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust health bosses have strongly denied fiddling the lists.

Trust chief executive John de Braux said: "I would like to reassure patients they are not being misled and we are not manipulating our waiting lists.

"I do believe it is important waiting lists across the whole of the NHS are consistent, reflecting a true picture, so patients know exactly how long they might have to wait for treatment.

"I welcome any independent verification of our waiting lists by the National Audit Office."

Although a date for the investigation has not been confirmed, Tim Jones, a spokesman for the Department of Health, said it would aim for early 2002.

He added: "This doesn't necessarily mean anyone has done anything wrong. But if anything is found to be wrong then action will be taken."

Mr Jones also said any hospital managers found to have been distorting waiting lists would face dismissal.

December 28, 2001 11:00