The Executivehas included a commitment in the white paper Partnership for Care and thePartnership Agreement Partnership for a Better Scotland, that no patientwill wait longer than 26 weeks for a first out-patient appointment following GPreferral, by 2005.The National Waiting Times Unithas agreed plans with each NHS board which include local out-patient waiting timestargets which demonstrate the progress they are expected to make towards deliveryof the 26-week target.