WAITS for outpatient appointments dropped to less than 26 weeks across East Lancashire during March, according to figures released by the NHS Executive North West.

The figures also show a drop in waiting lists across the area, although those waiting 12 months for hospital treatment in Burnley rose slightly.

In Blackburn, the number of patients waiting more than 26 weeks for an outpatients appointment dropped from 18 to none, with the numbers waiting 13 weeks dropping from 375 the previous month to 246.

The numbers of patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment with the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust also dropped to zero, from five patients the previous month, bringing the total waiting list to 4,883 from 5,147.

In Burnley, the number of patients waiting 26 weeks for an outpatients appointment with Burnley Healthcare Trust also dropped to zero, after standing at 128 the previous month.

The number of patients waiting 13 weeks for an outpatients appointment dropped from 1415 to 1094.

Only the number of patients waiting more than 12 months rose, with 135 patients waiting during March, compared with 110 the previous month.

The total waiting list dropped overall from 4,903 in February to 4,749.