WAITING times for patients across Teignbridge have shot up by almost 30 per cent over the last year, according to new figures.

Detailed data on all hospitals providing NHS treatment has been published which claim there are dramatic increases in waiting lists across the district.

The data, which is not official NHS data, has been compiled by insurance company Health Compare.

Figures for the Mid Devon Advertiser area have concluded that the current waiting list, as of August 2022, was 181,914 patients.

This figure is up 29.4 per cent, or 41,331 patients, compared to the same time in 2021.

The number of patients waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment stands at 85,572, up 43.9 per cent, or 26,111 people.

The figures show the number waiting for 52 weeks is 17,630 and those waiting for 104 weeks is 734 patients.

The average waiting time is said to be 23.8 weeks, compared to the national average of 20.6 weeks.

The health company has narrowed down the figures to individual specialities in medicine to show those with the highest numbers of people on waiting lists.

Highest is ophthalmology with 24,304, followed by trauma and orthopaedics with 21,548, then gynaecology at 11,583.

These are closely followed by ear, nose and throat with 10,868 and cardiology at 10,365.

In the Teignmouth area, the figures are only slightly lower with the total number of patients waiting standing at 128,223 which is up 28.67 per cent on the same time last year.

The total waiting for 18 weeks is 62,157, up 40.2 per cent and 48.5 per cent of the total number of people waiting.

Those waiting for 52 weeks is 14,121 and 391 people have been waiting for 104 weeks.

Overall, the waiting list for the area has grown by 28,478 patients.

The average wait per patient is 23.5 weeks compared with 20.2 weeks this time last year.

In the Teignmouth area, speciality figures are: top of the waiting list is ophthalmology with 16,557, then trauma and orthopaedics at 15,446, followed by gynaecology with 8,086 patients waiting.

Next is cardiology with 7,947; ENT with 7,094; gastroenterology at 6,837 and urology with 6,537 patients waiting.