BOLTON patients have missed out on £185,000 funding after the health authority failed to hit waiting list targets.

Bolton and Wigan Health Authority was penalised because the high number of people waiting more than 13 weeks for their first appointment -- 7,418 at the end of September.

The target set by the Government for out-patients waiting more than 13 weeks in Bolton and Wigan is 6,625.

The blame is being put on pressure to reach the in-patient waiting list target.

Dr Tim Bennett, director of finance and performance management, said: "The waiting list figure is too high and we are in discussions with the hospital trusts and others.

"If you try to reduce the out-patient levels, it increases the in-patient waiting times. We would like to see a better measure of waiting times to give a clearer over-all picture."

He said the £185,000 was being held by the department of health and would be handed over if the out-patient waiting time target was met by the end of the year.

Mr Bennett added: "We are confident that by implementing waiting list initiatives, outpatient improvement plans and other measures we will be able to hit the target."

The patients waiting the longest where those needing eye treatment and those waiting for treatment for joints and bone problems.