Hospitals have been given until the end of the month to book an operation for the 7500 patients who've been waiting longer than a year.
They've also been given a September deadline to book-in the 4000 people who've been waiting longer than a year just to see a specialist.
The directives have come from Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ, and the Planned Care Taskforce set up in May to try to fix huge waiting lists.
Hospitals must also cut back on specialist's follow-up appointments with patients after surgery, to free up the doctors for those waiting to be seen for the first time.
Susie Ferguson spoke to the Director of Te Whatu Ora, Fepulea'i Margie Apa and asked her if the deadline is realistic.
