Hospital waiting times slashed from 18 months to nine weeks.

(From Derby Evening Telegraph)

Health bosses have smashed a target to cut hospital waiting times.

The majority of people referred to hospital by their GP are seen within nine weeks, against a Government target of no more than 18 weeks.

Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust found that 66% of the 3,890 patients referred to hospital in December were seen within nine weeks.

Sally Baughen, who is leading the programme at the trust, said: "It's an absolutely phenomenal change.

"Only a few years ago, patients were waiting 18 months from referral to the start of their treatment and now they are waiting an average of nine weeks.

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