Two suspended over waiting times ‘fix’

TWO staff members have been suspended over claims an NHS board rigged waiting time figures to hit official targets

The suspensions came as NHS Lothian launched a “critical incident review” into the allegations, revealed by health secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

She has launched further probes into management culture at the board, saying some staff felt pressured to find “tactical solutions” to waiting times rather than tackle the root problem.

Last October it emerged patients were referred to Northumberland for treatment. When they declined, they were not included on a list of patients waiting 18 weeks for treatment.

All 1,234 people referred have now been treated, the NHS said.

NHS Lothians director of human resources Alan Boyter said: “We are carrying out a review and steps have been taken to suspend two staff.”