§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current average waiting time for cardio-thoracic surgery at the Shotley Bridge General Hospital, County Durham; and to what extent this time has been increased by the illness of and the lack of a replacement for a heart-lung machine technician.
§ Dr. OwenThe average waiting time is between nine and 12 months.532W During the past three to four weeks, due to the illness of a heart-lung technician, admissions have dropped from eight to four per week. The position is expected to improve from 1st March when the technician is due to return to work and another fully qualified technician is appointed.