There will be 40,000 more outpatient appointments

More operations, more beds and more choice is the message contained in the SHA's Local Delivery Plan.

The authority promises to increase the number of operations taking place annually by 32,000 over the next three years.

The number of outpatient appointments will be increased by 40,000.

By 2006, the authority says it will recruit 80 GPs, 200 consultants and 2,000 nurses.

As a result of these improvements, the authority says waiting times will be reduced and patients will be able to choose when and where they receive treatment in the future.

A recent recruitment drive by the SHA has already seen an extra 1,000 nurses and 350 doctors employed.

There is also a growing number of healthcare students.

Dave Wherrett, director of workforce development, said "Departments like speech and language therapy...are offering better opportunities for workers."