Seriously-ill patients are being denied vital treatment so hospitals can reduce their waiting list numbers, a senior Oxford doctor claims.

Dr James Morris, a consultant neuro-pathologist at the Radcliffe Infirmary, said top surgeons and medics were having to make "difficult ethical decisions" to meet high Government-imposed quotas of patients admitted to hospital.

And the situation was worsened as money for highly-skilled treatment dried up, the consultant told an Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS board meeting yesterday.

This meant critically-ill patients, whose procedures can take more time and money, were being ignored so that a high number of lower-risk people could be seen.

Dr Morris said: "What happens is that we basically say we can't treat certain people for financial reasons, but we will treat others for political reasons." The consultant, who is also the trust's deputy medical director, told board members the situation was worsened by inefficient funding for referrals outside the catchment area.

Andrew Stevens, the trust's director of planning and information, told board members reducing patient waiting lists for first appointments was seen as a top priority for the Government.

Plans to cut waiting lists include additional theatre sessions and improved use of the Churchill's bed and theatre capacity. * An increase in nurses stabbing themselves with hypodermic needles could be due to staff shortages leaving them rushed off their feet.

The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust has revealed that the amount of reported 'needlestick' injuries has started to increase.

Many of the incidents involve clean, unused syringes, but the trust has become concerned enough to start an investigation into the reasons behind the problem.

A trust spokesman revealed that although staff were being encouraged to report needlestick injuries, overworked nurses could be becoming less careful.

She said: "Staff are rushed off their feet. Everyone knows that there are more patient increases every year, adding to the work load.

"And obviously, the recruitment problems do not help."

Story date: Friday 19 November

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