Bob Doris MSP today welcomed the announcement of a new waiting time guarantee from the Scottish Government.

The new guarantee means that patients should wait no more than 12 weeks for surgery after being referred to hospital, thanks to the Scottish Government's forthcoming Patient Rights Bill.

The SNP MSP said: "I support this waiting times guarantee. It is important that as many patients as possible have a positive experience when they use the NHS during what can be a very difficult time for them and their families.

"When people are unwell they need to be confident not only that they will get quality treatment but also reassured that it will be within a guaranteed time frame. This move is not only about speed of treatment but peace of mind. I hope as many people have their say during the consultation period".

The Glasgow MSP also encouraged people to take part in the consultation on the Patients Right Bill which runs until 16 January 2009 and can be accessed on the Scottish Government website.

He said: "This Bill is about us, the patients. If you have ever been a patient or visited a patient, you have the experience the government is looking to hear about in this consultation. This Bill will give us rights as patients so I would encourage everyone to have their say.

"When you have a listening government as we do with this SNP Government, it's important to take advantage of every opportunity to have your say. Nicola Sturgeon has called on the people of Scotland to become "co-owners" in the National Health Service so let's accept that offer and create a Patient Rights Bill we can all be proud of."

Notes:

1. Scottish Government announcement can be accessed here.

2. Key proposals include:

• A 12 week legal waiting time guarantee for all patients waiting for operations - from when a patient is referred to hospital for surgery until the operation takes place
• Independent Patient Rights Officers for every NHS Health Board area
• Clearly defined systems of feedback and redress
• Responsibilities for patients - for example, attending agreed appointments and offering feedback on health services.

3. The consultation document on the proposed Patients Rights Bill is available here.

4. The consultation runs from 22 September 2008 until 16 January 2009.

5. The Scottish Government proposals for a new waiting time guarantee sets out that once in-patient or day case treatment has been agreed as the most appropriate way forward between the clinician and the patient, we will guarantee that it takes place within a maximum time period of 12 weeks. This guarantee will operate within an overall referral to treatment patient journey of 18 weeks. This guarantee applies to all patients who require hospital in patient or day case treatment. This should be viewed as a 'longstop' guarantee. Our vision is that many patients will not wait for treatment and will be seen and treated well within the overall 18 week referral to treatment standard, by 2011.