Scottish Government
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NHS waiting lists
Commenting on the Audit Scotland report Managing NHS waiting lists - A review of new arrangements published today, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"We welcome this review of New Ways - the new system of managing NHS waiting lists.
"We have made significant changes to the way patient waiting lists are managed. Before New Ways tens of thousands of patients were held on 'hidden waiting lists' with no treatment time guarantees, now these people are treated within the Scottish Government's waiting time targets.
"New Ways has also introduced more flexibility so that appointments and treatments can be made to suit patients' individual needs and schedules. This means that appointments and are less likely to be cancelled and patients who would previously have had to wait indefinitely can get the care and treatment they need.
"Waiting times are now at an all time low. Staff across the health service have worked extremely hard to make these changes and will continue to keep this progress going.
"We are committed to supporting ways that put patients first in the health service and plans are already underway to put the recommendations made by the report in place."
