HUDDERSFIELD hospital patients are being treated in record times, according to the latest figures.

Statistics published for the first quarter of 2005 showed that more than 98% of people visiting Huddersfield's accident and emergency department were seen within four hours.

The figure for the same period last year was 93.5%.

Patients needing surgery at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust hospitals - which include the Royal Infirmary at Lindley - also had shorter waits.

All in-patients and day cases were operated on within the Government's nine-month target, with most cases being seen within six months.

People referred as outpatients waited no longer than the required 17 weeks for a consultation.

Patients with suspected cancers were seen within a two-week deadline.

Ben Edwards, the trust's assistant director for surgical and anaesthetic services, said he was pleased with the results.

He added: "We are very happy with the standards of care and treatment we have been able to provide over the last year, in particular over the winter months.

"The hard work and commitment of our staff has enabled us to deliver shorter waiting times.

"We are committed to improving on this."

He also said new systems had been put in place to help the trust achieve Government targets.

"We are constantly looking at how we can use resources more effectively, to make sure patients are seen more quickly," he said.

"It is about working more smartly and giving patients access to senior clinical decision-makers sooner."