but shocking figures uncovered by labour yesterday show some patients are suffering agonising waits of as many as 541 days to begin treatment..

�long delays can put people under incredible stress at an already difficult time and could also mean that someone�s health could take a turn for the worse..

scott cadger, head of underwriting and claims strategy at scottish widows, said the industry needed to do more to educate the public on the merits of protection insurance..