Thames Valley Police claim to have saved 73 years in NHS waiting time by using a private medical scheme.

The Occupational Private Treatment and Intervention for Medical Assistance programme (Optima) was launched on March 1 last year to provide staff with fast-track access to treatment.

The scheme is aimed at reducing sickness levels and ensuring that staff return to work fully fit much earlier than if they had been treated by the National Health Service.

"A report shows that, in its first year, the scheme has seen 225 people referred for assessment or treatment, costing the force £304,144.

It is estimated that these referrals saved 26,750 days in NHS waiting time - 7,334 days in relation to consultations, 1,509 saved from investig- ations and 17,907 from surgery being carried out privately.

Chief Constable Sir Charles Pollard said the scheme had been successful in every respect, and saved the force £2.6m worth of "lost time" because officers were actually working rather than off sick.

In a report to the force police authority's personnel committee, he said: "The scheme is supported by staff associations and is well regarded by staff within the organisation.

"The Optima concept is now adopted by other forces and there is no doubt that Thames Valley has led the service nationally in this respect.

"One of the effects of the scheme has been to increase the level of sickness in the short-term as staff who would normally be working on restricted duties are in fact classed as sick under Optima.

"However, in the longer term more people should be able to return to work quicker."

Because the first year was so successful, the police authority has already agreed another £300,000 to fund a second year in 2001/2002.