The number of people dying on hospital waiting lists has risen dramatically in the past three years, new figures released by the Government show.
Between September 1, 2000 and the end of August 2001, 521 people died while waiting for elective surgery. But by the year to August 2004 it hadrisen to 1187.
The figures were released by Act health spokeswoman Heather Roy. She claimed they had been "previously hidden by Health Minister Annette King" and described the rise as shocking.
The number of deaths had "skyrocketed", Ms Roy said.
National's health spokeswoman Judith Collins also released figures yesterday which she said showed that sick people were waiting longer to get on elective surgery waiting lists.
Ms Collins said only five of the 21 district health boards were meeting their targets for reassessing "active review" patients.
When people are assessed as needing surgery, but do not qualify for an operation within six months, they are placed on an active review list.
Those on the list are meant to be reassessed to see if they are eligible for surgery, but thousands had not had their cases reviewed within six months.
