Norman Lamb

Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk since 2001

PEOPLE WILL BE SCEPTICAL ABOUT CHANGE TO WAITING TIME TARGET - LAMB

3.16.14pm GMT Thu 8th Nov 2007

Commenting on the announcement today that the Government is to amend its 18 week waiting time target for NHS treatment to allow for 'clinically justified' delays, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said: "Ministers will struggle to convince a public already sceptical about government statistics that this change isn't merely providing political cover because of fears they will fail to achieve their target."

"It must have been clear from the start that the 18 weeks target wouldn't be suitable for everyone, including those who want to delay their treatment for a clinical or other reason.

"This seems like yet more shifting sands over waiting times. Why is this key target being changed now? Many people will smell a rat.

"Giving every patient an entitlement to high quality care would deliver more improvements in the NHS than a centrally-imposed bureaucratic target."

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Previous news story: FUNDING CARE FOR THE ELDERLY IGNORED IN QUEEN'S SPEECH - LAMB (Tue 6th Nov 2007).
Next news story: COST OF U-TURN ON PRIVATE SECTOR CENTRES IN NHS MUST BE REVEALED - LAMB (Thu 15th Nov 2007).

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Thu 7th Jun 2007:

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE STILL WAITING MORE THAN A YEAR FOR NHS TREATMENT - LAMB.

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