The 'r' word.

Examines the realities of the Patients' Charter committment to cut hospital waiting lists and finds that this is being done by limiting the number of patients on waiting lists. Some health authorities are removing certain treatments from the NHS tariff. Patients awaiting "non- urgent" surgery may be so incapacitated as to be unable to keep a job or even lead a normally active life. Cost considerations dominate all others and patients may find that effective new drugs, if considered too expensive, are not available to them. Presents a bleak picture of current economy measures and an even worse one of what the foreseeable future holds for the NHS and its "clients".