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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Andrew Gregory Health editor

Hospitals in England offered unlimited bonuses for taking patients off waiting lists

NHS staff on a hospital ward
In an attempt to cut waiting lists and free up consultants to see those most in need, NHS trusts have this week been ordered to ‘validate’ their entire waiting list. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA

Hospitals in England are being offered unlimited bonus payments to remove people they decide do not need treatment from their waiting lists amid warnings that thousands of patients most in need are still facing unacceptable delays.

The waiting list for hospital treatment fell for the sixth month in a row in February, according to data published on Thursday.

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