THE number of patients waiting over 13 weeks for a first outpatient referral at the Royal Cornwall hospital fell from 2,541 to 1,308, with no patients waiting over 17 weeks.

The number of patients waiting over six months for planned in-patient treatment has fallen from 2,905 to 1,041, with no patients waiting over nine months.

The findings were given to the annual meeting of the hospital trust this week.

"In helping to free up the additional capacity needed to meet these very challenging targets we have worked with our NHS partners to develop a number of projects aimed at offering new and better ways of delivering services," said a spokesman. "Many have focused on treating patients in the community, such as the acute care at home service, helping patients to avoid admission to hospital or to be discharged home more quickly."

Chief executive, Brian Milstead, said: "In the last year we have seen emergency admissions reach their highest ever levels and finance has continued to be a challenge for the health community.

"Despite this, and measured against tougher standards, we maintained a two-star rating from the Healthcare Commission with top overall bandings nationally in two out of three indicators, over 83% of patients surveyed rated their overall care as very good or excellent and the Trust received a fourth consecutive listing in the 40 Top Hospital awards."

Developments during the year included the opening of a new scanning suite and the purchase of St Michael's Hospital in Hayle.

Work on the £14 million Knowledge Spa continued and this new facility, which will be home to the Cornwall campuses of the Peninsula Medical School and the Faculty of Health & Social Work of the University of Plymouth, opens to its first students this month.