§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the median waiting times for each district health authority in England and Wales for(a) hip replacements, (b) hernia operations and (c) cataract removals.
§ Mr. MellorReliable information about median waiting times for specific procedures is not yet available under the new hospital episode system (HES). The sample numbers under the old hospital in-patient inquiry (HIPE) system were too small for reliable estimates to be made about individual procedures at district level.
Questions about Wales are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.