HEALTH chiefs in East Lancashire are drawing up an action plan which will help them to meet tough new Department of Health waiting list targets.

Health trusts have been told that before the end of next year they must treat all patients within 18 weeks of a referral being made by GPs - which is far tougher than current waiting list targets.

Currently the targets are calculated using a number of different criteria, for example how long someone has remained an inpatient or outpatient.

East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, which covers Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, has reported that its current performance, using the new standard, is 32 per cent.

While in disciplines such as gynaecology and trauma and orthopaedics, more than half are treated within 18 weeks of referral, this figures slips to around 10 per cent or less in urology, general medicine and dermatology.

An extra £10million will need to be spent by the Nelson-based trust to meet the demand and this has been included in spending plans.

An incentive scheme is also being drawn up to encourage GPs to refer more cases to secondary care facilities.