PATIENTS will be sent for operations at private hospitals in Bradford, Blackburn and Gisburn as the race hots up to meet Government waiting list targets.

Burnley HealthTrust chiefs still have to clear another 100 in-patients from waiting lists by March 31 after schedules were blown off course by the Christmas 'flu outbreak.

Sixty operations were cancelled over the festive period as emergency medical admissions took over beds earmarked for patients awaiting surgery.

Burnley was handed an extra £1.1 million to slash waiting lists this year and, like other hospitals, will face Government sanctions if targets are not met.

With Burnley operating theatre time fully allocated, board members heard the trust had turned to the private sector for help.

But chief executive David Chew told them: "Our surgeons will be doing the work, we are simply renting the space."

Directors heard Burnley would use Gisburne Park, Beardwood Hospital, Blackburn and a Bradford Hospital.

They were told Burnley had just received another £70,000 for the waiting list initiative.

Finance director David Meakin said waiting list targets would be monitored on a weekly basis.

He said the demands of emergency admission meant the trust had to re-profile its waiting list activities to ensure targets were met.

"It is anticipated large numbers will reduce off the waiting lists with work in the private sector and additional sessions undertaken by our clinicians, with an impact within the next four weeks.

Mr Meakin added: "Clearly achieving the waiting list target is a challenge, however, I am confident that the target will be achieved by March 31."

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