HC Deb 18 January 1999 vol 323 cc380-1W
Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the average waiting times for out-patient appointments in neurology clinics in each of the last two years for which figures are available. [66060]

Mr. Denham

Data on average waiting times for outpatient appointments are not collected centrally. However, data are available on the percentage of patients seen within 13 weeks and 26 weeks of written general practitioner referral and the table provides this information for 1996–97, 1997–98 and the first two quarters of 1998–99.

Waiting times for neurology first outpatient appointments: Trust based (England)
Of those GP written referrals seen, the percentage who waited:
Year Quarter less than 13 weeks less than 26 weeks
1996–97 1 71 95
1996–97 2 69 95
1996–97 3 69 95
1996–97 4 69 95
1997–98 1 73 95
1997–98 2 70 95
1997–98 3 68 93
1997–98 4 67 92
1998–99 1 68 92
1998–99 2 66 92