PATIENTS in Redbridge referred by a doctor for treatment are benefiting from some of the lowest waiting times in London.

People admitted by Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospital Trust, are waiting an average of 6.8 weeks - roughly six weeks and six days, to be seen in a hospital.

The national target is 11 weeks and one day - showing the Trust’s commitment to treating ailing patients is falling well within expected waiting times.

A BHR spokesman said: “The Trust has had great success in meeting the national referral to treatment targets, and our average since April to December 2010 is 6.8 weeks.”

Treatments waiting times for non-admitted patients, such as those undergoing out-patient procedures and not requiring an overnight stay in hospital is a little more than four and a half weeks.

The national target for treatment for non-admitted patients is 6.6 weeks.

This week, GMB, Britain’s general trade union, reported that the average waiting time for treatment within London’s Strategic Health Authority was more than eight weeks.

A BHR spokesman said they were committed to keeping the figures low.

“Our priority is to ensure that patients get the treatment they need as quickly as possible. “We are proud of these figures and are confident we will keep them low.”

The Trust spokesman confirmed that treatment times depended on the severity of the illness.

“Anyone suffering from a serious illness will be treated on a red alert - meaning they are fast tracked for treatment.”