CONSULTANTS are working their way through long waiting lists for dermatology patients at Essex County Hospital.

Bosses at the Turner Road hospital have called in Medinet, which specialises in cutting NHS waiting lists.

The company sends its own consultants to treat patients who would otherwise remain unseen at local trusts.

At the moment, there are 2,356 dermatology patients waiting to be seen.

There is an average waiting time of eight weeks before patients are first seen after being referred by their GP.

Between January and June, the department received 625 referrals from GPs.

It is hoped the list will be substantially cut by October.

At the moment, there is only one specialist consultant in the Colchester department.

A second consultant, who has been on sabbatical in the USA, is set to return to the trust in October.