HOSPITAL waiting lists have shown a dramatic improvement in the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust's region, which covers Malton Hospital and the Ryedale area.

However, the board heard that it was having to borrow £8m to meet its commitments.

Tim Watts, deputy director of planning and performance, told the trust board that there had even been an over-achievement in targets in several sections of the lists.

The number of people waiting for in-patient treatment for a year was now nil, and it was the same picture in the outpatient clinic for patients waiting 21 weeks.

Those waiting for in-patient treatment for six and nine months had also over-achieved, although there had been under-achievements in targets for outpatients waiting for 13 weeks.

The total number of in-patient and day case cases at November 21 showed that 550 more people had been treated than the trust had targeted for.

Cancer patient figures showed that 99pc of all urgent cases were seen within 14 days, while 91 pc of people having their first referral appointment for cancer treatment was 15pc above the target said Mr Watts.

"The trust is meeting its 21 week outpatient and 12 month inpatient targets. There are currently only 20 patients waiting longer than ten months for elective surgery."

Updated: 11:27 Wednesday, December 17, 2003