§ Mr. CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of Avon health authority's scheme to reduce outpatient waiting times by guaranteeing a number of outpatient appointments for each primary care group; and if he will make a statement. [116002]
§ Mr. DenhamAvon health authority, working with local general practitioners and trusts, is looking at ways of improving orthopaedic waiting times. As part of this work the health authority is considering how the successful pilot scheme, operated by North Bristol National Health Service Trust and North West Bristol Primary Care Group, which guarantees individual GP practices a specified number of outpatient 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 outpatient waiting times by involving PCGs.