Early signs that a big overspend in the National Health Service in England is starting to affect patient care came yesterday with the waiting list figures for January.

Although the total list rose by only 7,600 in the month, up 1 per cent, the number of patients waiting between three and five months for treatment has jumped by 36,600 - 25 per cent. In other words, while the number of patients waiting has only risen slightly, the wait has increased.