§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list his Department's targets with respect to(a) average and (b) maximum waiting times for (i) in-patient appointments, (ii) in-patient treatment, (iii) out-patient appointments and (iv) out-patient treatment. [389]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 25 June 2001]: As part of the National Health Service Plan, the NHS is working towards reducing the current maximum in-patient wait of 18 months to 15 months by March 2002 and reducing the out-patient wait of over six months by March 2002. These targets are part of a staged reduction in waiting times, with in-patient waiting times continuing to fall from 18, to 15, to 12, nine then ultimately six months by 2005. The maximum out-patient waiting time will fall to three months by 2005.
No targets exist for average waiting times; however, as the NHS Plan targets are implemented, all patients will benefit from shorter waiting times, provided that the Government can recruit the extra staff, and the NHS makes the necessary reforms.