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Patients in England cannot rely on information on waiting times for non-emergency operations, such as knee and hip replacements, a watchdog says.
The National Audit Office found wrong and inconsistent recording after reviewing 650 cases in seven trusts.
The watchdog said it was unable to discern whether this was deliberate, but says it should be investigated.
The government says waiting times are "low and stable" but it will work with the NHS to ensure accurate reporting.
The NAO said that overall there was a tendency for the practices to conceal delays rather than over-record waits.
The NAO said whatever the causes, the lack of reliability was harmful to patients because it hampered their ability to make informed choices about where to choose to have their treatment.
It also called into question whether the NHS was actually meeting its waiting-time targets.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25845106
The National Audit Office found wrong and inconsistent recording after reviewing 650 cases in seven trusts.
The watchdog said it was unable to discern whether this was deliberate, but says it should be investigated.
The government says waiting times are "low and stable" but it will work with the NHS to ensure accurate reporting.
The NAO said that overall there was a tendency for the practices to conceal delays rather than over-record waits.
The NAO said whatever the causes, the lack of reliability was harmful to patients because it hampered their ability to make informed choices about where to choose to have their treatment.
It also called into question whether the NHS was actually meeting its waiting-time targets.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25845106