§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to reduce the waiting times of elderly patients and mental health patients on the Isle of Sheppey. [61814]
§ Ms BlearsThe Government are committed to improving services for the elderly and mentally ill. National service frameworks have been published for both mental health services and those for older people, setting out new standards of care with targets for delivery.
I understand that Swale Primary Care Trust is currently considering options to improve waiting times for elderly and mentally infirm patients and also to improve access to mental health services.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the in-patient hospital waiting list in(a) March 1997, (b) December 2001, (c) March 2002, (d) June 2002 and (e) the latest date for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [66286]
§ Mr. HuttonThe table shows published figures for the number of patients waiting for elective admission at national health service trusts in England at month end. Figures for April 2002 are the latest available. Data for June will be published on 9 August.
Patients waiting for elective admission: NHS Trusts, England Month end Number March 1997 1,158,004 December 2001 1,050,221 March 2002 1,035,365 April 2002 1,046.265 Source:
Department of Health form KHO7