Long waiting lists are of concern to policy makers, professionals and patients, and despite major initiatives to address the issue the problem remains. Suggests that one partial solution may be chronologically maintained common waiting lists for high-volume routine surgical procedures at the departmental level rather than by individual consultants. Since case severity differences between the various surgeons in a team may mitigate against such a model a pilot study of two procedures: arthroscopic examination of knee and repair of inguinal hernia was undertaken. Describes the study. Little statistically significant difference was found in case severity between the patients belonging to the different general and orthopaedic surgeons in South Tees Health district, and a significant proportion of operations was undertaken by middle grade doctors. At present waiting times vary considerably depending on which consultant the patient is referred to by their general practitioner, thus creating inequity. The problem has been further exacerbated by the NHS reforms with fund-holding general practitioners receiving preferential treatment, thus creating a two-tiered service. Common waiting lists will ensure equitable provisions and may increase efficiency, and hence need serious consideration.