PATIENTS waiting for scans at hospitals in north Cumbria have been seen within the NHS' six-week target.

It's the first time in three years North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust, which runs Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary and the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, has ensured more than 99 percent of those waiting for diagnostic procedures, such as scans, have been seen within the national target.

The trust reported that its latest figures from July show 4,483 patients were on waiting lists for less than six weeks for diagnostic testing, including MRI, CT and ultrasound scans.

Those waiting longer counted for 0.4 per cent, which falls within the 1 per cent national target.

For CT scans, cystoscopies, gastroscopies and MRI scans, all patients were seen within the six-week target.

Helen Ray, chief operating officer for the trust, said: “The teams have worked extremely hard to change the way we provide these services and it is fantastic to see this hard work leading to such excellent improvements.

"We understand that it can be worrying and frustrating to be on a waiting list for a procedure, and it’s very reassuring to know that so many patients have been seen in a timely manner.”