§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients in the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust area have waited more than 18 months for treatment; [101941]
(2) if he will make a statement on the announcement by the North Essex Health Authority concerning patients in the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust area who have waited more than 18 months for treatment; [101939]
(3) what reasons a number of patients in the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust area have been waiting more than 18 months for treatment. [101940]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 9 December 1999]: As a result of work carried out to review waiting lists and tighten procedures, a number of patients at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust have been identified as waiting over 18 months for treatment as at the end of November 1999.
The figures for November 1999 are not due to be published until the week commencing 10 January 2000. However, Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust, in conjunction with the North Essex Health Authority and the Eastern Regional Office, are taking steps to ensure that patients identified as waiting over 18 months are treated as soon as possible.