NHS waiting lists in the North West have fallen by 37,488 compared to July last year, according to new data released by NHS England.

MP for Chester North and Neston, Samantha Dixon, has described the falling waiting lists as "a clear example of Labour delivering on their promises and the steps being taken to get the NHS working for patients once again".

Across the country, NHS waiting list figures show a drop in April for the first time in 17 years (excluding the first year of the pandemic) and have fallen to the lowest level in two years.

It comes with more than 3.6 million extra appointments delivered since July.

The data follows announcements made by the Chancellor in the latest Spending Review, with record levels of investment in the NHS - tackling waiting lists, improving patient care and modernising services.

Samantha Dixon said: "After the Tories left waiting lists at a record high and patient satisfaction at a record low, hundreds of residents across our local area were stuck left waiting for treatment.

"That's why falling waiting lists in the North West is such good news, as this Labour Government puts the NHS on the road to recovery.

"Together we can be the generation that takes the NHS from the worst crisis in its history and makes it fit for the future."

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Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: "We are putting the NHS on the road to recovery after years of soaring waiting times, by providing record investment and fundamental NHS reform.

"Thanks to our interventions and the hard work of NHS staff, the overall waiting list has now fallen in April for the first time in 17 years – dropping by almost a quarter of a million since we took office.

"This is just the start.

"We've delivered millions of extra appointments since July, we are pushing on with our mission to get the NHS working for patients in the North West once again as we deliver our Plan for Change."