Government releases waiting times data

The government has unveiled new data relating to waiting times during September 2012.

It published statistics on waiting times and activity for 15 key diagnostic tests for the month and revealed that at the end of the month, there were 633,000 patients still waiting for one of 15 key diagnostic tests.

The Department of Health announced that of these, 5,089 were waiting six weeks or more from their initial referral.

A statement from the government said: "The number waiting six weeks or longer shows a decrease of 1,500 from August 2012 and a decrease of 4,500 from September 2011."

Altogether, it was revealed that 1,342,000 of the 15 key diagnostic tests were performed during September 2012, which it was noted was almost the same as the same period last year.

Last month, data released by the government showed that the number of people waiting longer than 26 and 52 weeks to start treatment was at its lowest level since records began.

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