Patients face ‘unnecessary pain’ as NHS imposes minimum waiting times, experts warnPatients face ‘unnecessary pain’ as NHS imposes minimum waiting times, experts warn. Picture: AlamyBy Shannon CookPatients risk being left in “unnecessary pain” as NHS chiefs force hospitals to introduce minimum waiting times for treatment, health experts have warned. It said commissioners may wish to set “activity planning assumptions”, which can include introducing minimum waiting times. “There are millions of people waiting for planned treatment, and the Government has made waiting times a key target for the next election. NHS organisations do need to strike a balance with those patients needing emergency care, primary care or mental health care, too.
