Waiting lists for hospital patients in north Essex have increased over the past three years, according to the Conservative Party.
Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust is one of 53 Trusts across the UK which have more people waiting to be admitted for an operation than in 2000, the Tories say.
According to the figures, Essex Rivers had 6,013 people on in-patient lists in December, 2000, but by March, 2003, that number had increased to 6,168.
But the Trust has taken issue with the claims, saying it has and is continuing to meet its targets.
A spokesman for the three-star Trust today said there had been an increase in activity across the Trust and people were being seen more quickly.
"We are seeing all people within the target times and have tough new targets to meet in the current year."
He added that in March, 2002, there were 6,428 people waiting, but that figure had been reduced substantially.
Published Tuesday, May 27, 2003
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