Labor plans bill to set NHS waiting limits

LONDON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Patients should have the right to free private care if they have to wait too long to see a National Health Service doctor, the British government says.

Under legislation discussed by the Cabinet this week, the maximum waiting time for a visit to a specialist would be 18 weeks, The Times of London reported Saturday. Cancer patients who have been referred by their family doctors would have to wait no more than two weeks.

Government sources told The Times the proposal will be in the Queen's Speech at the opening of Parliament in November and voted on before the coming parliamentary election. The Labor Party, which has governed Britain since 1997, is running behind the Conservatives in the polls, with Conservative leader David Cameron far more popular than Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

An official said the government wants to make sure waiting times, which have dropped in recent years, do not drift up again with expected budget cuts.

"This will send a strong 'no turning back message' to voters," the official said. "David Cameron will have to decide whether he wants to repeal this measure and take rights away from patients."