Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR)
Programme: Fact Sheet 6
NHS Targets and waiting times
Key considerations for reviewers
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Where relevant was the person seen, referred and/or treated within the target times as outlined below?
Was the learning disability clearly identified in the referral or investigation request?
Where appropriate, were reasonable adjustments made to ensure the person was seen within target waiting
times?
Where any of the referrals rejected by the secondary care services including community learning disability
teams and what criteria for rejection were used?
If a referral was rejected to one service was a referral made to another service?
Introduction
People with learning disabilities should be treated within the same targets and time frames as everyone else. This
factsheet outlines some key targets and waiting times that should be adhered to. The Confidential Inquiry into
Premature Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities (CIPOLD, 2013) highlighted waiting time as a concern for some
procedures, with long waiting times within which individuals deteriorated and were not monitored. Public sector
bodies have a legal duty under the Equalities Act 2010 not to discriminate against disabled people and to ensure that
reasonable adjustments are provided so that they are not substantially disadvantaged in accessing a service (see
Factsheet 4).
Key Principles
The NHS Constitution outlines the rights of patients to have access to certain services within maximum waiting times
and that where this is not possible, the NHS will take reasonable steps to offer a range of suitable alternative
providers. The key NHS waiting time targets are:
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2 week wait for urgent referral where cancer is suspected – patients should be seen within 14 days of a GP
urgently referring a patient because of suspected cancer
6 weeks for diagnostic tests – patients should receive their diagnostic tests (e.g. colonoscopy) within six
weeks of referral
18 week referral to treatment – patients should start non-emergency NHS consultant-led treatment within a
maximum of 18 weeks from referral unless they choose to wait longer, it is clinically appropriate that they
wait longer, they have not attended their appointments, or the treatment is no longer necessary
4 hour A&E – patients should be seen, treated or discharged within 4 hours
8 minutes for ambulance – 999 calls should be reached by an ambulance within 8 minutes
This information was correct as of 26/05/2016 and will be reviewed on 26/05/2017
LeDeR Programme Fact Sheet 6.
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Other key targets include:
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Mixed sex accommodation – it is a requirement that all NHS funded care is provided where males and
females are able to sleep in separate accommodation
Choking referral to speech and language therapist in CLDT - patients who are choking should be seen within
24 hours
Reasonable adjustments should be made to ensure people with learning disabilities are seen within target waiting
times (see Factsheet 4).
Summary of key points
People with learning disabilities should receive care to the same standards as those in the general population,
including being seen, diagnosed and treated within recommended time frames.
Additional sources of information
NHS choices website
www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/Waitingtimes/Pages/Guide%20to%20waiting%20times.aspx
This information was correct as of 26/05/2016 and will be reviewed on 26/05/2017
LeDeR Programme Fact Sheet 6.
V 2-0