§ Mr. CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of Avon Health Authority's scheme to reduce out-patient waiting times by guaranteeing a number of out-patient appointments for each primary care group. [100641]
§ Mr. DenhamAvon Health Authority, working with local general practitioners and National Health Service trusts, is looking at ways of improving orthopaedic waiting times. As part of this work, the health authority is considering whether the successful pilot scheme, operated by North Bristol NHS Trust and North West Bristol Primary Care Group, which guarantees individual GP practices a specified number of out-patient appointments can be extended across the health authority area. No formal assessment of the North Bristol pilot scheme has been undertaken by the NHS Executive. We welcome local initiatives to reduce out-patient waiting times by involving PCGs.