Measures to eliminate excessive waiting times for orthopaedic outpatient appointments and inpatient treatment were proposed by a Working Party under the chairmanship of Professor R B Duthie. To implement the proposals reliable information is necessary but a survey in a district found that waiting list numbers were inaccurate, activity statistics under represented work levels and there was scepticism about the accuracy of theatre records. With accurate information and use of the proposed methods a service's efficiency should increase, but problems will remain unless measures of outcome, control of input and accident prevention strategies are devised. In the meantime good management of waiting lists will improve the quality and efficiency of a surgical service.