One of the Norwich Union Healthcare adverts says the waiting time for hip replacements at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital is 487 days.

The hospital says it does not even carry out such operations and other quoted waiting times are inaccurate.

Norwich Union has apologised, but says waiting times remain an issue.

'Aggressive tactics'

Neil Taylor, chief executive of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust said: "It's a bit sad that Norwich Union has to stoop so low.

"One of the things they haven't realised is that waiting times across the NHS have been cut.

"They've resorted to more aggressive tactics to get the message across.

"To use sensational headlines is in rather bad taste."

Tim Baker, Norwich Union Healthcare's business development director said it never meant to publish wrong information.

"Clearly if the hospital doesn't do hip replacements, I apologise.

"We haven't meant to cause offence or publish inaccurate information.

"Based on historical analysis this is the best information available to patients."