§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time from GP referral is for(a) hearing aids, (b) bath rails and (c) artificial limbs (i) in Blackpool Community Health Services NHS Trust, (ii) in North-West Lancashire Health Authority and (iii) nationally. [117831]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 6 April 2000]: Data are not available nationally on the specific areas requested. However, Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services National Health Service Trust and North-West Lancashire Health Authority (NWLHA) have provided the following information:
(a) the average waiting time in NWLHA for hearing aids is 11.5 weeks;(b) the average waiting time for bath rails is 19.5 weeks;(c) the average waiting time for artificial limbs is four weeks.