beecareful - news: Waiting time pledge in constitution

Waiting time pledge in constitution
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Beecareful  on 10/11/2009 15:56:00

Patients will have the right to quick NHS treatment, the right to NHS dentistry
and the right to die at home under proposals from Prime Minister Gordon Brown
and health secretary Andy Burnham.
A legal entitlement to treatment within 18 weeks of referral by their GP will
be given to patients, while those with suspected cancer will be seen by a
specialist inside a fortnight. Should the NHS be unable to treat patients
quickly enough, patients will be offered alternatives including treatment at
private hospitals.
The Government hopes the new system would end the geographical variations in
treatment in the country, ensuring that all people receive the same standard of
care.
However, the Conservatives want to phase out NHS targets, such as those focus
on waiting times, and instead concentrate on the outcomes for patients.
Copyright (c) Press Association 2009