What is End waiting, change lives?

End waiting, change lives. Four simple words that are going to improve life for the millions of people who use the NHS.

End waiting, change lives explains the benefits to patients and staff of reducing the amount of time that people wait for care

When you see End waiting, change lives stamped on leaflets, brochures and websites you will be reading about 18 weeks, the programme to redesign services and clinical pathways so that none of us have to wait more than 18 weeks between referral and treatment for non-urgent conditions. (Patients with urgent conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, will be seen and receive treatment more quickly).

By December 2008, patients who want it, and for whom it is clinically appropriate, can expect to start their treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral.

End waiting, change lives doesn’t deal with policy and guidance for the NHS, or care pathways, or any of the information needed to implement changes. End waiting, change lives explains the benefits to patients and staff of reducing the amount of time that people wait for care.

This is a significant improvement to the way that care is provided which staff, their professional bodies, patients and public all agree needs to happen – it needs everyone’s support.