Beginning in 2003, no patient in Scotland treated by the National Health Service will have to wait longer than nine months for hospital treatment. That will cut the present maximum waiting time limit under the socialized health care system by three months.

The Scottish NHS Plan, published last month, contains additional commitments to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

• Women with breast cancer who need urgent attention will be treated within a month from October 2001, says the report.

• And by 2005 no cancer patient will wait longer than two months when referred urgently for treatment.

The structure of the NHS in Scotland is also to be streamlined to create 15 decision making health boards to replace the current mix of 43 boards and trusts.

Source: Bryan Christie, "Scottish NHS Plan promises speedier treatment," British Medical Journal, January 6, 2001.

For text http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/322/7277/10/f