Most patients go into hospital quickly after a consultant has decided that treatment is needed.
Nearly half of all NHS patients who have to wait are admitted within 5 weeks. The Government is determined to maintain this excellent performance. In March 1991 over 50,000 patients were waiting 2 years or more to go into hospital. For hip or knee replacements and cataract operations, a waiting time guarantee of 18 months has already been established. In 1992 nearly 2,000 patients were waiting more than 18 months for hip, knee and cataract operations.