This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6062160.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hospital wait-cut plan 'blocked' Hospital wait-cut plan 'blocked'
(30 minutes later)
By Gerry Northam By Gerry Northam BBC Radio 4's File on 4
A flagship NHS hospital is being stopped from cutting waiting lists even though it has the capacity to do so, the BBC has learned.A flagship NHS hospital is being stopped from cutting waiting lists even though it has the capacity to do so, the BBC has learned.
The local primary care trust is accused of favouring the newly opened private sector treatment centre over the hospital.The local primary care trust is accused of favouring the newly opened private sector treatment centre over the hospital.
The Cheshire and Merseyside NHS Treatment Centre in Runcorn opened earlier this summer and offers orthopaedic surgery such as hip operations.The Cheshire and Merseyside NHS Treatment Centre in Runcorn opened earlier this summer and offers orthopaedic surgery such as hip operations.
The Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust has a block contract with the centre.The Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust has a block contract with the centre.
Now a clinician at the Countess of Chester hospital has revealed to BBC Radio 4's File On 4 that the hospital has been told by their Primary Care Trust that it can't cut waiting lists further and treat patients sooner.Now a clinician at the Countess of Chester hospital has revealed to BBC Radio 4's File On 4 that the hospital has been told by their Primary Care Trust that it can't cut waiting lists further and treat patients sooner.
The clinician, who wished to remain anonymous, says the PCT is very keen to get patients to go to the independent treatment centre, and not to the hospital.The clinician, who wished to remain anonymous, says the PCT is very keen to get patients to go to the independent treatment centre, and not to the hospital.
We have asked the hospital not to take on the additional activity necessary to reduce their waiting times Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust spokesmanWe have asked the hospital not to take on the additional activity necessary to reduce their waiting times Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust spokesman
"They try to persuade patients to go to the treatment centre in part by telling them they'll have to wait longer if they go to the hospital.""They try to persuade patients to go to the treatment centre in part by telling them they'll have to wait longer if they go to the hospital."
The doctor said the hospital is not being allowed to compete fairly: "The PCT has said that it won't pay the hospital for operations if the patients are seen earlier.The doctor said the hospital is not being allowed to compete fairly: "The PCT has said that it won't pay the hospital for operations if the patients are seen earlier.
"So even if the hospital could see patients sooner, which I understand they could, they are not being allowed to.""So even if the hospital could see patients sooner, which I understand they could, they are not being allowed to."
The BBC has seen documentary evidence which supports this allegation.The BBC has seen documentary evidence which supports this allegation.
'No obvious answer''No obvious answer'
In a statement, Western Cheshire PCT says that its financial deficit has worsened and acknowledges that it has requested the hospital not to cut its waiting times as part of the financial recovery plan.In a statement, Western Cheshire PCT says that its financial deficit has worsened and acknowledges that it has requested the hospital not to cut its waiting times as part of the financial recovery plan.
"We have asked the hospital not to take on the additional activity necessary to reduce their waiting times". However the PCT insists this is ¿not because of the contract with the treatment centre.""We have asked the hospital not to take on the additional activity necessary to reduce their waiting times". However the PCT insists this is ¿not because of the contract with the treatment centre."
The government introduced independent treatment centres to increase the capacity for operations and thereby reduce waiting times.The government introduced independent treatment centres to increase the capacity for operations and thereby reduce waiting times.
But a report from the Commons Health Committee, published a day before the summer recess, raises doubt about whether either aspiration has been much helped by the policy.But a report from the Commons Health Committee, published a day before the summer recess, raises doubt about whether either aspiration has been much helped by the policy.
Speaking to the BBC, the committee chairman, Labour MP Kevin Barron, said: "Its an obvious question that that we couldn't find an obvious answer to when we did the enquiry."Speaking to the BBC, the committee chairman, Labour MP Kevin Barron, said: "Its an obvious question that that we couldn't find an obvious answer to when we did the enquiry."
The Health Minister Lord Warner says that 350,000 patients have benefited from the independent treatment centres, and the government is expected to respond to the Select Committee by the end of this month.The Health Minister Lord Warner says that 350,000 patients have benefited from the independent treatment centres, and the government is expected to respond to the Select Committee by the end of this month.
You can hear Gerry Northam's report at the File on 4 website. It will also be repeated on Radio 4 on Sunday 22 October at 1700BST.You can hear Gerry Northam's report at the File on 4 website. It will also be repeated on Radio 4 on Sunday 22 October at 1700BST.