Pioneer sites to tackle waiting lists

The pioneers will start their work by developing simple and effective ways of measuring referral to treatment times. From there, they will look at how they can reorganise their systems so that patients can get through all the stages of the patient pathway within 18 weeks.

The eight will be testing centres for innovative new ways to speed up access to care. The new guarantee of a maximum 18 week waiting time will require a transformation of the way that waiting times are measured and for the first time will include the “hidden waits” for diagnostics. The new pioneer sites are East Kent, Gateshead, Huntingdonshire, King’s, North Nottinghamshire, Oldham, Royal Devon & Exeter, and South Bedfordshire.