Keighley patients with suspected cancer are being referred to hospital specialists within the recommended time.

But heart patients are among those waiting too long for an appointment with a hospital consultant.

Figures revealed by Airedale Primary Care Trust, which is responsible for GPs in Keighley and commissioning hospital services, show that patients with suspected cancer are being seen by a specialist within the recommended two weeks of general practitioner referral.

The trust achieved 13 "green" traffic lights in all specified areas of cancer referral, including breast and lung cancer.

However, the figures also show that too many heart patients are waiting longer than the recommended 13 weeks for their first Cardiology out patients' appointment.

In addition there is a waiting list of 20 people for re-vascularisation (blood vessel) treatment.

The trust has also incurred red traffic lights because patients are waiting more than 13 weeks to see specialists in Orthopaedics, Ear Nose and Throat, and Ophthalmology.

Assistant director for commissioning Wayne Martin said: "The PCT is performing well ahead of what we expect at this point in time. The over nine-month waiters are constant, but we hope to see an improvement by the end of March because of extra money we have received.

"A number of specialist services like Ophthalmology and ENT are provided by visiting consultants and the PCT will continue to work with partner organisations to rectify the problems experienced."

Mr Martin also revealed that levels of both emergency and planned "elective" treatment were down compared to the previous year.

The number of GP requests for referrals was up against the expected profile in October but well down in November.

Mr Martin added that although the number of people waiting 13 weeks for a first appointment had continued to fall, the PCT had not yet achieved the level expected.

Two patients who waited more than 12 months for admission to hospital have since been treated.