I WAS surprised to read (Bury Times, May 14) that Mr Evan Boucher and his fellow hospital bosses are delighted at the progress that they have made in reducing hospital waiting lists in the Bury area.

I need a minor operation, and was referred to Bury General by my GP on March 3. I have just received notification of my appointment date to see a specialist - September 8 - 27 weeks after being referred! If it takes more than six months even to get on to the waiting list, it is little wonder that waiting times can be "reduced".

I suggest that Mr Boucher and his colleagues spend a little less time manipulating figures and congratulating themselves on their performance, and spend more time trying to reduce real waiting times.

R. LOMAX,

Bury.

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