NHS axes 18 week waiting time for operations

Non-emergency patients with cataract could face a wait of more than 18 weeks for treatment, according to the CEO of NHS England Simon Stevens.

Currently the NHS target is for 92% of patients to be treated within 18 weeks of referral but this has not been met since February 2016.

Stevens said: ‘We do say here there is a trade off. We do expect there will be some marginal lengthening of waiting lists but this will still represent a strong quick waiting times experience compared to 10 years ago, let alone 20.’

The new measures have been brought in to help relieve financial pressures on the NHS.