THE numbers of people on Wyre Forest inpatient and daycase waiting lists have exceeded target figures.

At the end of November, the total number of patients in the district awaiting hospital appointments was 1,923 - seven per cent above the target figure of 1,784, set by the Health Commission.

The total waiting more than six months was 22, compared to a planned 20 - 10 per cent higher - according to an update report submitted to Tuesday's meeting of the Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust.

With a national target of no patient to be waiting six months or more by December, 20005, the PCT has commissioned services at Worcestershire Acute Hospital Trust to ensure the goal will be achieved throughout 2005-06.

As all patients waiting six months have been eligible to receive treatment at an alternative provider since last April, Wyre Forest patients have the chance of going elsewhere. The main specialities for which people were waiting were general surgery, ENT and gynaecology.

There was better news regarding outpatients, with seven waiting 13 weeks or more, compared to the threshold of 15.

Between five and eight per cent of patients did not attend their first outpatient appointment, however.

The PCT was hitting its monthly target of all patients being seen by a primary care professional within one working day.

The same was true of patients being seen by a GP within two working days.

Within the Worcestershire Acute Trust area, the target for people seen within four hours at A&E was exceeded, at 98.3 per cent, compared to the 98 per cent figure.

There was a 100 per cent success rate for cancer patient referrals during November, as they were seen less than two weeks from referral by their GPs to an NHS trust.

The PCT fell short of the national target of 100 per cent of cancer patients waiting less than a month from diagnosis, as it peaked at 97 per cent in November.

Just 88 per cent of cancer patients treated during November waited less than two months from urgent referral by their GPs. The target was 100 per cent.