This essay examines the arguments surrounding the cause's of waiting lists, initially concentrating on the reasons that relate specifically to consultant surgeons before expanding to address the reasons beyond their power and influence. The short summary and conclusion includes a glimpse of some new initiatives being developed to combat waiting lists and fortunately some of the particular issues raised here.

"I cut it in half, just by eliminating those on the list who'd moved or couldn't be contacted. Half of the remaining patients didn't need to have the procedure anymore, and for the half that did, I told them to go and 'fall over' outside and I'd see them in casualty and do it as an emergency.... Anyway, I quickly eliminated the waiting list and trotted off to tell my boss the good news. He was not amused. 'Don't you ever, ever, touch my waiting list again. It's my power base within the hospital and my passport to private practice outside.'"

(Junior orthopaedic surgeon quoted in Hammond, 1999.)

This quote is illuminating because it highlights a marked attitude difference between doctors and the public toward waiting lists.

Financial self-interest has already been given as one reason, Salter (1998) and Powell (1997) provide a second by arguing that as the current profession of medicine enjoys such power, influence and autonomy in society, it has a vested interest in retaining that power. Therefore it will resist any temptation to subject it to more regulation and supervision, which are often seen as methods of eroding power and autonomy by exposing the profession to external criticism and highlighting areas of concern.

The conditions that involve the longest wait on NHS lists appear to be the mainstay of private sector workload

Some common words found in the essay are:
, Britain NHS, NHS Added, Michael Drury, North West, waiting lists, medical profession, health service, powell 1997, yates 1995, consultant surgeons, hammond 1999, willman 1998, waiting list, university press, University Press, buckingham university press, Books Powell, Press Waine, Health Service, Boyars Moran, 1997 willman 1998, national health service, surgeons private sector, acceptance personal collective,
Approximate Word count = 2155
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)