TAVISTOCK Hospital is at the forefront of a pioneering programme to cut waiting lists for operations — last month a specialist surgical team was shipped in and dealt with more than 200 cataract removals over several weekends.

The drive comes at a time when the Government is about to relaunch the NHS with promises of a maximum six-month wait for all operations.

The Royal Eye Infirmary in Plymouth, which has a huge waiting list of people needing the minor eye procedure, ear-marked Tavistock's empty operating theatre to help reduce the backlog.

Hospital manager Philippa Bridle said the joint venture had been a huge success.

'The team operated at weekends so that the cataract removals did not impact on regular surgery at Tavistock,' she said.

'It was done through the Royal Eye Infirmary and 207 people were treated altogether. It helped to reduce waiting lists of patients from the Plymouth and surrounding areas.

'We were chosen because of our operating accommodation, The Royal Eye Infirmary didn't have space in its own theatres. The facility is here so using Tavistock makes a lot of sense.'

The ophthalmologist, anaesthetists and nurses were brought together by specialist company Surgicare. The team worked through a morning and afternoon list over five weekends.

'We dealt with 15 patients on the quietest day and 21 on the busiest,' said Ms Bridle. 'It is day-surgery so patients are in and out and do not have to stay overnight.'

She said she hoped Tavistock Hospital would be used again in the future.

'It was very exciting — there was a huge amount of activity and I certainly think the whole joint venture was a great success.'

A Department of Health spokesman said; 'It is true to say that Tavistock is one of a growing number of pioneering hospitals helping to cut waiting lists.

'All too often in the past these small hospitals have been closed or forced to merge with larger ones but they will now play a key role in increasing capacity proposed in the National Plan.'

Today (Thursday) Prime Minister Tony Blair is due to explain a blueprint to MPs on a relaunch of the NHS fit for the 21st century.

A key part of the initiative will be to encourage hospitals in small towns and villages to open their theatres to specialist teams.

Family doctors will also be encouraged to use their own mini operating theatres for minor surgical procedures — this should help the Government to meet its pledge to cut waiting times for operations to six months — a target it is expected to set for 2005.

The plans should see the biggest shake-up of the NHS since its inception in 1948 and funds to carry out the ambitious proposals will be drawn from the extra £19-billion that the Government has promised to the health service.