Inpatient, Day Case & Outpatient stage of treatment waiting times
Latest PublicationsPublished: 26 February 2013
Stage of treatment (previously known as New Ways)
Published: 27 November 2012
Waiting-Times - Stage of Treatment
Published: 28 August 2012
Stage of treatment Waiting Times
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Publication Information:
Information for data providers
Introduction - Current Targets
The Scottish Government have set national waiting times standards for the maximum time that patients should have to wait for NHS services in Scotland.
Treatment Time Guarantee
- From the 1 October 2012, the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 establishes a 12 week maximum waiting times for the treatment of all eligible patients who are due to receive planned treatment delivered on an inpatient or day case basis.
New Outpatient Appointments
- From the 31 March 2010, no patient should wait longer than 12 weeks for a new outpatient appointment at a consultant-led clinic. This includes referrals from all sources.
Changes to waiting times
Previously, the national standard for patients waiting for treatment as an inpatient or day case was set at 18 weeks (from 31 December 2007), 15 weeks (from 31 March 2009),12 weeks (from 31 March 2010) and 9 weeks from 31 March 2011.
Previously, the national standard for patients waiting for an outpatient appointment was set at 18 weeks (from 31 December 2007) and 15 weeks (from 31 March 2009) and applied only to patients referred by a GP or dentist.
The introduction of 'New Ways of Defining and Measuring Waiting Lists' to Scotland on the 31 December 2007 led to a significant change in how the NHS Scotland collects and defines waiting times, and also how waiting lists are clinically and administratively managed.
Key changes were:
- Changed how waiting times are measures and reported
- Introduced the concept of a 'reasonable offer' of appointment or admission
- Records and reports patient non-attendance and unavailability
- Ended 'Availability Status Codes' and makes the management of waiting clear and transparent
