§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra funds have been, or are planned to be, made available to Barnet Health Authority since 1 May 1997; for what purposes those funds have been earmarked; and if he will make a statement. [62593]
§ Mr. MilburnMy hon. Friend tabled a similar question on 17 November. I have today replied by letter to both questions.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made on reducing hospital waiting lists by Barnet Health Authority; and if he will make a statement. [62594]
§ Mr. MilburnBarnet Health Authority is on course to meet its waiting list target of 5,846 by March 1999. The health authority's waiting list fell by 371, or 5.1 per cent., during October 1998, the largest reduction in the North Thames region. At the end of the month the waiting list stood at 6,865, an improvement on the level expected at this stage in the year. The health authority is continuing to work closely with local trusts to ensure that this encouraging progress is maintained.