The number of patients in Airedale waiting for out-patient appointments has doubled, according to health bosses.

Patients waiting more than 13 weeks for an out-patients appointment rose from 58 in April to 140 in May.

However, the number of GP referrals also dropped considerably during the same period, with 239 fewer requests than expected. This was balanced by a decrease in the number of patients being seen. Assistant director of commissioning and performance management Wayne Martin said: "The PCT is working with partner organisations to manage the length of out-patient waiting down as far as possible."

The trust has continued to meet targets for the referral of patients with suspected cancers.

But it failed to meet targets for patients waiting more than 13 weeks for their first appointment with specialists in orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat, ophthalmology, dermatology and cardiology.

Although the trust was ahead of the profile set for waiting lists by 517 patients at the end of May, 54 patients were still waiting more than nine months for hospital admissions.