The new scheme should ensure that no one waits for more than three months for any form of surgery – even much sought-after cataract removal or hip or knee replacement.
Health and Social Services have also pledged that the ‘pen to knife period’ (the time lapse between a GP’s referral letter and the operation) will not exceed six months.
The Hospital will start putting the new system, which has not yet been implemented by the majority of hospitals in the UK, in place in the next few months.
