HOSPITAL waiting lists in Burnley are being cut faster than target, but out-patient times are increasing.

Since April, the waiting list has dropped from 6,176 to 5,754, ahead of the 6,000 target and the increase had continued through September, finance director David Meakin told members of Burnley Health Trust. "It is quite clear we are over-achieving targets and much of that has been done by staff putting in extra hours,'' he explained.

Coun Kath Reade said the trust was to be commended on the way it had been tackling the waiting list problem. "I am sure Health Secretary Frank Dobson will be proud of us but what is the situation on out-patient waiting times?

"A number of people in the community have told me they can't get appointments for a long time.''

Mr Meakin said the emphasis had been on reducing the waiting lists which the Health Secretary had made clear was the priority.

They had seen times for out-patients increasing and they needed to rectify that and there would be a big push to improve the situation from the start of the next financial year.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.