HC Deb 18 October 2001 vol 372 cc1327-8W
Virginia Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what target he has set for waiting times for in-patient treatment in West Surrey. [7702]

Ms Blears

The NHS Plan (published in July 2000) set a national target for waiting times. By March 2002, no one should wait longer than 15 months for in-patient treatment.

West Surrey health authority have submitted performance improvement plans which set the following targets for West Surrey: By March 2002 there should be no more than 697 people waiting longer than 12 months for in-patient treatment and by September 2002 there should be no more than 357 people waiting longer than 12 months.

These plans have been approved by the national health service south east regional office who will be monitoring progress closely.

Virginia Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients waiting for in-patient treatment in West Surrey have been waiting for more than one year; in which health authorities the percentage is highest; which health authority has the largest percentage waiting more than one year; which health authorities have no one waiting more than one year; and what steps he has taken to reduce variations in patients waiting over one year in the NHS. [7701]

Ms Blears

At the end of August 2001, 10.9 per cent, of patients in the West Surrey health authority area had waited over 12 months for in-patient treatment. This is the highest percentage in England. The health authority area with the lowest percentage is Dorset with 0.1 per cent. There are no health authorities in England without patients waiting over 12 months.

The NHS Plan contains a target to reduce the maximum waiting time to six months for in-patient treatment and three months for out-patient appointments by 2005. The Modernisation Agency and Department of Health's regional offices are working with the national health service significantly to improve access to care and to reduce variations in waiting times in the areas with the longest waits. West Surrey health authority has also developed action plans to bring about improvements locally.