HC Deb 08 July 1997 vol 297 cc431-2W
Mr. .Jack

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the time required to reduce waiting lists to meet patients charter targets (a) nationally and (b) in each (i) health authority region and (ii) NHS trust. [6832]

Mr. Milburn

There are no Patient's Charter targets for reducing the number of patients on waiting lists, The Charter does, however, guarantee that all patients will be treated within 18 months of being placed on a waiting list and sets a target of a 12 month maximum wait for heart bypass surgery and some associated procedures.