Charlotte MacKenzie, Labour’s would-be MP for Truro and Falmouth, welcomes shorter hospital waits and extended GP hours in Cornwall:

“Some good news for patients in Cornwall this week. The NHS now has the shortest waits since its records began.

“New data shows that in Cornwall the NHS has met its target to treat patients within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral by their GP – an achievement which was unimaginable 12 years ago.

“This is a tremendous achievement by NHS clinicians and staff in Cornwall who should be proud of the difference their hard work has made to the experience of every NHS patient.

“The management issues at RCHT should not make us lose sight of the fact that more patients are being treated sooner, and that it is dedicated health care professionals and other staff who are making this possible.

“When I talk to NHS patients you tell me that time spent waiting is important to you. This is why it was right that the Labour Government made it a priority to reduce waiting times. Shorter waiting times make a significant difference to the experience of thousands of patients in Cornwall.

“The fact that most GP surgeries in Cornwall now have extended opening hours is also more convenient for patients.

“Achieving the shortest waits for hospital treatment since NHS records began has made a huge difference to patients’ experiences of the NHS. In the 1990s it was not uncommon for people to wait 18 months or more for their operation – with some people dying on the waiting list.

“Whenever statistics are released it’s easy to forget that behind every figure is a real person who has had their life transformed by being treated.

“The NHS is one of our country’s greatest achievements and I will always stand up for it. I’m proud that over Labour’s years in government, we have made sure the NHS has the staff it needs and backed them to deliver improvements in standards and driving down waiting times.”

Publication of the independent report on RCHT was long overdue – it was originally promised by late November. This drift further damaged the morale of professional staff, some of whom initially spoke out in support of the suspended chief executive John Watkinson.

The situation is now critical as the Trust needs clear-sighted and concerted local leadership so that it can meet the deadline of December 2010 to be ready for Foundation status. If professional staff doubt that RCHT will achieve this status, some will look to move elsewhere.

Because local leadership does sometimes fail it is right that there are circumstances in which the Government steps in. But this is not what people want to see happen here.

I hope that those who are responsible as Board members or executives for the situation in which Cornwall’s only major hospital now finds itself will reflect on whether over the next 18 months they can help to deliver what people in Cornwall want.

Foundation status would mean that there would be increased local influence over the decisions taken by RCHT. It will only be possible if the Trust meets higher standards first.