HOSPITAL waiting lists in Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley have been reduced, but risen in Burnley.
Latest figures for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Healthcare NHS Trust show that at the end of May there were 5,170 people waiting for treatment - 101 less than at the end of April.
The waiting list for Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust rose by two over the same period, from 5,203 to 5,205, an improvement on the situation in May 1998, when there were 6,210 people on the waiting list.
Across the North West waiting lists rose by 672 in May to 174,510 people.
Hugh Lamont, NHS head of communications in the North West, said the trend was downwards, with a decrease of nearly 24,000 over the last year.
He said: "We are well on target for meeting all national and local targets by the end of this year.
"To reduce waiting lists by just under 24,000 in one year is a phenomenal achievement by a whole range of people, from hospital doctors and nurses to GPs, community services and social services.
"There will be occasional blips, but NHS staff at all levels have contributed to a real attack on waiting lists."
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