HOSPITAL waiting lists in Worcestershire are being "massaged" in an attempt to hit Government targets, critics claimed today.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has introduced a series of measures to reduce its routine out-patients list from 2,000 at December 31 to zero by March 31.

But health campaigners claim figures are being manipulated to achieve the target and will lead to bottlenecks and consultants being burdened with extra workloads.

The Trust has told its 170 consultants it will achieve its objectives by measures that include extending clinic times, re-scheduling of follow-up appointments and transferring patients between clinics and consultants.

The aim is to make sure that patients referred before December 31 do not wait more than 13 weeks - the figure set down by the Government.

But the blitz means patients referred after January 1 will receive an appointment before March 31 only if a consultant has cleared his existing long-term list.

Dr Richard Taylor, a leading campaigner in the fight to save Kidderminster Hospital, attacked the Government's approach.

"It's clear the Government, in my opinion, is more interested in massaging the figures than actually lessening the waiting times," said Dr Taylor.

"If you are a consultant who, through hard work and dedication has short waiting lists, your lists will be swamped by patients from others' lists who might have different priorities. This is just how not to reward the efficient."

The Trust was unavailable to comment as the Evening News went to press.