Journal of public health
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Journal of public health · Mar 2004
Comparative StudyEquity in waiting times for two surgical specialties: a case study at a hospital in the North West of England.
Reducing inequalities in access to the National Health Service is a key government priority. This study investigates the extent to which equitable access is achieved in one routinely administered hospital waiting list system. ⋯ Routine waiting list systems are not always delivered equitably. For one specialty, female, older and deprived patients were significantly more likely to experience longer than average waits. Potential explanations and implications for policy-makers are considered.