Patients Could Be Sent Abroad

PATIENTS would be sent abroad for treatment under plans to cut down waiting lists being considered by the Scottish Government.

New proposals would mean patients referred for surgery will have to be treated within a 12-week legal guarantee, set within an 18- week overall target from GP to treatment, due to be met in 2011.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish health secretary, said they envisaged that if boards could not meet the 12-week target, they would have to send patients elsewhere.

She admitted patients could take their case to court if they faced long waits, but fears have been raised that placing a legal obligation on health boards could create a “litigation culture”.

(c) 2008 Evening News; Edinburgh (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.