title: Waiting times. Bones of contention.
abstract: A slot system allocating a set number of outpatient orthopaedic appointments to general practices in North West Anglia HA means all patients referred are seen in eight weeks. The system has provoked criticism from GPs on the grounds that the burden of waiting lists has shifted onto them, and it limits access to services. The scheme has improved communication between GPs and orthopaedic consultants.
authors.affiliation: King's Lynn and Wisbech Hospitals Trust, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weston
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Summers
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Packer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D005194:Family Practice; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom; D014850:Waiting Lists