Scottish NHS patients look likely to be sent to private hospitals elsewhere in the UK under the executive's latest attempt to cut waiting lists.

The health minister, Andy Kerr, confirmed yesterday that he was looking to bring in long-term contracts with the private sector to supplement NHS provision in Scotland.

Because the private sector in Scotland is very small, the initiative will inevitably result in patients being transferred to private hospitals elsewhere in the UK for their treatment.

Currently, the private sector is limited to a very small number of areas. But figures out yesterday showed the continuing headache that waiting lists present for the executive. Despite record investment of £8bn a year, some 20% more per person than in England, the number of people on waiting lists is increasing, as is the average time spent on a waiting list.

Mr Kerr appears impressed by Westminster's success in using the private sector to cut waiting lists. He met private companies this week and he is likely to announce the details of his plans next month.

It is expected that waiting lists in areas such as orthopaedics, minor cardiac operations and cataracts will be targeted most strongly.

He told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland: "What I want to bring here to the health service in Scotland is a supplementary support, not to replace the National Health Service but to supplement the health service."

The Scottish Conservatives said they had been calling for greater private sector involvement for some time; the move was welcome, but probably too late.

The SNP said the move could mean staff deserting the NHS for the private sector, compounding the health service's problems.