WINTER pressures have led to a sharp increase in the inpatient waiting list at Medway Maritime Hospital. The number of patients waiting for admission increased to 7,246 by the middle of this month - the highest since last July.

This was because higher winter demand than last year meant some booked operations were cancelled, including 12 in December. But hospital boss Jan Filochowski says the hospital was meeting Government targets and expected some increase every winter.

He said: "This year's winter peak has lasted longer and involved more patients than last year, and despite extra capacity this year, has stretched us to the limit. But the overall position continues to be good and we are still achieving on every measure set by the Government."

Much of the increased pressure came from winter illnesses like chest and heart problems, he said. But patients were waiting shorter periods than ever for surgery, with no one waiting more than 14 months and most waiting less than six months.

The trust was now concentrating on reducing the number of patients waiting longer than 12 months, Mr Filochowski said.