THE number of NHS patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment has fallen dramatically across the region, new figures showed yesterday.

The news, which was welcomed by health chiefs, represents a major improvement on statistics published just over a year ago, which suggested Government plans to cut waiting lists were in tatters.

Across the NHS Northern and Yorkshire region, there are 972 people fewer than last year who are waiting more than a year for treatment.

The overall waiting list has also dropped, from 126,679 last August to 123,235 at the same time this year.

Northallerton Health Services Trust said its appointment of a waiting list manager was behind the drop from this time last year, when 105 people were waiting 12 months, to none this time.

Pat Martin, deputy chief executive at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, said: "There was one particular problem area and that was plastic surgery, which is a national problem. But we brought in additional clinics at the Friarage and that is making things quicker."

In South Tees, the 12-month waiting figure has also been reduced, from 258 last year to 57 in August. However, the overall number of patients waiting has increased and is 1,000 more than the health trust expected.

A spokeswoman said: "Half of those were ear, nose and throat operations, which we were advised not to undertake until adequate supplies of disposable surgical equipment were available."

No one is waiting more than 12 months in County Durham and Darlington, or North Tees and Hartlepool.

However, the figure in North Durham rose from 65 last August to 90 this year, while the overall waiting list in the area has also grown.

The Government faced criticism last year after a sharp rise in the number of people waiting for more than a year.

It has made a commitment to end waiting times of more than 15 months for in-patient treatment by April 2002 and more than six months by 2005.

Health Minister John Hutton said the figures highlighted the progress being made towards reaching the targets, which he was confident of achieving