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

Tony 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. A Government survey recently named Barnet Hospital as the worst in London.

"Although waiting lists are down in the Hendon MP Andrew Dismore's area, there are still people waiting too long," he 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," he 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 ten per cent increase in funding for Barnet health authority and said he would continue to raise the case of Barnet Hospital with the Government.

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

December 18, 2001 18:06

LEIGH COLLINS