MORE than half of people waiting the longest for pre-planned hospital treatment in England are under the care of just nine NHS trusts, analysis of official figures show.

Over 2,700 patients had been waiting at least a year and a half to begin hospital treatment as of September, with nine NHS trusts — all located in south or east England — accounting for 51.1 per cent of this total.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust was responsible for 21.4 per cent.