§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the waiting times by section, between applications being received by the mental health review tribunal service and the hearings taking place; and what assessment he has made of the scope for reducing the waiting times. [30444]
§ Mr. BowisThe tables give details of the waiting times for the last quarter of 1995. The tribunal offices are currently working to an eight week deadline for non restricted cases outside the special hospitals and 20 weeks for restricted cases outside the special hospitals. Deadlines for section 2 cases are determined by legislation and are required to be heard within one week of application. Delay times are continuously being monitored and options considered to improve the overall waiting times.
Waiting times last quarter of 1995 Non-restricted cases Under 8 weeks 9–12 weeks Over 12 weeks NHS hospitals (665 cases) 303 293 69 Special hospitals (44 cases) 0 14 30
Restricted cases Under 20 weeks 21–24 weeks Over 24 weeks NHS hospitals (171 cases) 102 29 40 Special hospitals (95 cases) 6 38 51