New figures have shown a further fall in NHS waiting lists.

The total number of patients waiting for treatment in April this year was 10 per cent lower than at the same point in 2003.

Department of Health statistics unveiled on Friday revealed 899,800 were waiting at the end of the April, a fall of over 100,000 on last year.

The level of patients waiting more than nine months has also fallen dramatically after ministers devoted more resources to tackling long delays for care.

Only 43 English patients were waiting over nine months in April, 54,700 lower than the previous year.

Meanwhile 11 patients were waiting over a year in England and seven in Wales, compared to 170 in 2003.

However shadow health secretary Tim Yeo refused to trust the figures.

"These figures will be meaningless for patients who have been waiting far longer than the statistics suggest and bring no pride to doctors who admit that clinical priorities have been distorted in order to meet Labours targets," he said.