Purge on hospital waiting lists has been effective - but challenges remain

The Health Minister says a purge on hospital waiting lists in the Island has had promising results.

But he's warning with a rapidly expanding ageing population, serious challenges remain.

A working group set-up by David Anderson last year was tasked to find efficiency savings so more patients are seen without extra cost.

The minister says a series of measures has increased patient through-put by 20 per cent in 12 months.

But a league table of waiting times shows there's no across-the-board solution.

While breast surgery patients are seen within a month of referral, those who need to see a dermatologist have to wait 36 months.

The minister says some simple measures are paying dividends - like the opt-in approach to reduce the number of DNAs - those who did not attend their appointment: