Waiting list figures

Total number waiting for inpatient treatment in June 1,048,000 (down 5,000) Patients waiting more than 13 weeks for outpatient appointment rose by 42,880 across April, May and June to 444,000 Patients waiting more than 26 weeks for outpatient appointment fell by 1,888 across April, May, June One patient reported as waiting longer than 18 months for inpatient treatment in June

This is compared with a 94,000 fall in the same figure during the previous quarter.

So while the government has a firm grip on its targets for waiting times for inpatient operations - only one person was waiting more than the absolute maximum of 18 months - the outpatient appointment waiting lists are more troublesome.

Lord Hunt said: "The public's top concern about the NHS is waiting for treatment.

"The outpatients rise has to be tackled with immediate action. This increase is far too high."

But opposition spokesman Philip Hammond said: "Morale is at an all time low - this approach of naming and shaming and sending in hit squads is the very opposite of good management."

The government claims that the National Patient Access Team has already allowed some hospitals to make noticeable improvements.

Four trusts visited by the team have cut their outpatient waiting times following large rises the previous quarter.

Trusts respond

A statement from Aintree Hospitals Trust blamed much of the rise on its own patients failing to turn up for their appointments - 2,771 in all between April and June.

It added that a bid for government modernisation money for a computerised appointment booking system had not been successful.

Morale is at an all time low - this approach of naming and shaming and sending in hit squads is the very opposite of good management

Philip Hammond, Conservative health spokesman

Worcester Hospitals Trust said that it had suffered a large increase in demand for appointments in recent months.

Its chairman Harold Musgrove said: "We welcome the support of the patient access team and any help it can give us, but in the meantime we have already taken steps to address the problem."

John Yarnold, from Plymouth Hospitals Trust said that its waiting list difficulties had been "well documented".

The outpatient problems arose, he said, as the trust spent the early part of the year trying to tackle a large number of patients waiting for inpatient treatment.

"We have been working with hospital doctors and GPs to increase our outpatient capacity, and improve our services."

The number waiting more than 13 weeks for outpatient appointments had already begun to fall again, he said.

A spokesman for the Patients Association said: "It is the waiting times that we and patients are really concerned about.

"It is unacceptable that people are waiting so long to see a consultant after being referred by their GP.

"They are waiting a long time, often in pain, and are confused about what waiting list they are on."