NUMBERS of patients referred to York Hospital have soared well over planned levels, with hundreds more sent by doctors in March than in the previous year, a new report has revealed.

The report to York Hospitals NHS Trust board, which met yesterday, revealed that there were more than 8,000 extra outpatients attending hospital for the first time than had been planned for in 2005/6.

The figure reveals the extent of the problem facing cash-strapped primary care trust bosses, who are trying to reduce the number of patients going to hospital as part of their multi-million pound cost-cutting drive.

In March this year, the hospital received 5,616 referrals from GPs - 307 more than had been planned for, and nearly 400 more than the same month last year.

Professor Alan Maynard, chairman of the hospital trust's board, told The Press that there was now an emphasis on treating patients for non-urgent operations on a day-care or single overnight stay basis so they went home to recover, rather than staying in hospital.

But York GP Dr David Fair said he thought the trend for rising hospital referrals would continue.

"It's inevitable that there are more," he said.

"Partly because the population is getting older. There's more illness in people who are old.

"Secondly, people expect a second opinion more than they used to.

"Because of consumerism, people are expecting more that they will get referred.

"I think it's understandable. It's becoming more and more of an issue.

"I can't really blame people for wanting a second opinion.

"I think the demand for a second opinion and the demands of the elderly population are going to carry on rising, whatever anybody does."

Selby and York Primary Care Trust is currently drawing up a financial recovery plan which will set out how it saves £23 million over the next financial year - before inroads are even made into its £23.7 million debt.

Its bosses have already said money needs to be saved by cutting down the number of people referred to hospital.

The trust has introduced several measures to drive down hospital referrals, including community matrons and a fast response team.

The Press reported in March that the team had offered alternative treatment to hospital to nearly 80 patients since it was set up in December.

Updated: 09:28 Thursday, April 27, 2006