§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many choices of alternative hospital patients in London waiting more than six months for elective surgery will have. [99103]
§ Mr. HuttonPatients waiting more than six months for elective surgery in the procedures covered by choice will normally be offered the choice of two alternative hospitals. Those waiting for primary hip or primary knee operations may, in addition, be offered overseas treatment.
The London patient choice project started to offer choice for cataract patients who have already waited more than six months for treatment, in October 2002. and from March 2003 will be offering a similar choice in ear, nose and throat, general surgery and orthopaedics. The scheme rolls out to other surgical specialties such as gynaecology, urology and plastic surgery from summer 2003.
§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many choices of alternative hospital patients in Greater Manchester waiting six months for orthopaedic treatment, ENT treatment or general surgery will have. [99108]
§ Mr. HuttonThe aim is to provide up to four alternative treatment locations in Greater Manchester in 2003–04, which are:
The Greater Manchester Surgical Centre at Trafford General Hospital;Local private sector capacity;Other available national health service capacity in the Greater Manchester conurbation.These options are in addition to choosing to remain with their local provider, which is an equally valid choice to make.