The Prime Minister Tony Blair has admitted NHS waiting lists in Barnet are too long.

Mr Blair said during Prime Minister's question time on December 12 that Barnet residents are still waiting too long for their operations, but added that extra money and reform were reducing waiting lists.

"Although waiting lists are down in Hendon MP Andrew Dismore's area, there are still people waiting too long," Mr Blair said.

Mr Blair claimed about 70 per cent of those who get their operation on the NHS get it within three months.

"There are still far too many people waiting longer than that but over time we will get that investment in, matched by reform," the Prime Minister said.

Hendon MP Andrew Dismore said long waiting lists in Barnet were due partly to the under-performance of Barnet Hospital.

He welcomed next year's 10 per cent increase in funding for Barnet health authority and said he would continue to raise the case of Barnet Hospital, recently named the worse in London.

"I know that people in Hendon are very concerned about delays at Barnet Hospital and the outcome of the recent league tables," he said.

Michael Foster, director of finance for Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Health Authority, has said extra funding will be targeted at reducing waiting times, particularly for cardiac patients.

He hopes 90 per cent of patients will be seen by GPs within 48 hours by the end of 2002 and some patients will be able to choose where and when they are treated for the first time.

December 18, 2001 16:59