The Trust – which runs the Royal Hampshire County Hospital and the Andover War Memorial Hospital – is on course to meet the 18 week target. This means that by the end of this year, all patients should begin hospital treatment within 18 weeks of being referred by their GP.
Figures released last week show that the vast majority of people are already being treated within 18 weeks.
Statistics covering the waiting times of more than 1,000 patients who were treated in July show that an average of 92% were treated within 18 weeks.
The shorter wait has won the praise of Prospective Winchester MP Steve Brine. Speaking from the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham he said; “"This is excellent news for local people. It means we can expect speedy treatment at the RHCH but it is also extremely encouraging for the long-term future of our hospital because money follows patients in the modern-day NHS and people are choosing come here for treatment.
"We are all extremely proud of the Royal Hampshire in Winchester. I know this will give every member of staff a lift and rightly so."
Trust chief executive Martin Wakeley (pictured with Steve Brine above) added: “We are rightly proud of our achievement. It is especially impressive because we have managed a 7% increase in activity for a minimal extra cost of 3%. The shorter waiting times are great news for local people and for those from further afield who choose to come here because we have cut the delay.”
Mr Wakeley added that the reduction had involved a major reorganisation of how services were managed and delivered: “We have done so well because we have looked at all the different steps along the patient’s path to treatment to find and eliminate delays. Improving access to diagnostics and increasing the efficiency of our operating theatres has helped our progress enormously.
"Providing treatment and procedures outside of normal working times and ensuring that patients can have more than just a consultation when they attend will continue to be a big focus for us.”