THOUSANDS of patients were waiting to start treatment at a hospital trust.

New NHS data shows 23,754 patients at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust were waiting to start treatment at the end of April.

But the NHS England referral to treatment waiting times (RTT) statistics for April this year show the trust is performing above the national target of 92 per cent of patients starting planned operations and care within 18 weeks.

At the end of April, 92.8 per cent of patients at the trust started planned operations and care within 18 weeks.

East Lancashire’s patients’ champion Russ McLean said hospital trusts across the country were playing catch-up after a bad winter and the cyber attack last year.

Mr McLean said: “Obviously we had the situation with non-urgent NHS operations and procedures across England being delayed, and that, along with the cyber attack, has had a knock-on effect.

“But the fact the trust is performing above average for patients starting planned operations and care within 18 weeks is to be welcomed,” said Mr McLean.

John Bannister, director of operations at the trust, said: “ELHT is committed to minimising the waiting time for treatment as we realise how stressful this can be for our patients. We treat as many patients as possible through our elective care centre in Burnley to reduce the chance of cancellation due to emergencies.

“Wherever possible we increase capacity by running additional clinics, diagnostic sessions and theatre lists to maintain performance.

“We are extremely grateful to our hard-working, committed staff.”

Nationally, 500,068 patients waited more than 18 weeks to start planned treatment, the highest figure since August 2008 when 520,000 people were waiting 18 weeks or more for planned treatment.