§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average length of time a patient was on the waiting list for treatment for(a) cancer and (b) heart disease in each London strategic health authority in each year since 1992, [159271]
122W(2) how many (a) cancer and (b) heart disease patients resident in each London strategic health authority were on a waiting list for treatment in each year since 1992. [159272]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 5 March 2004]The five London strategic health authorities (SHAs) were established in April 2002. Figures are available only from this date.
The tables show the average waiting times and the number of patients waiting for treatment for heart disease in London SHAs.
Average waiting list times Months SHA March 2003 December 2003 North Central London 2.3 1 7 North East London 2.9 3.0 North West London 2.8 2.2 South East London 2.2 1.9 South West London 2.1 2.1
Number of patients on waiting list Months SHA March 2003 December 2003 North Central London 82 118 North East London 731 760 North West London 939 790 South East London 626 521 South West London 353 355 Information on the average waiting times and number of patients waiting for cancer treatment in London SHAs is not available centrally. The NHS Cancer Plan sets out our strategy to reduce waiting times for cancer patients. The ultimate goal is that no one should wait longer that one month from an urgent referral for suspected cancer to the beginning of treatment except for a good clinical reason or through patient choice; it is planned to achieve this by 2008.
There is a series of staged milestones towards this goal: from 2001 new targets of a maximum one month wait from diagnosis to treatment for breast cancer and a maximum one month wait from urgent general practitioner referral to treatment for acute leukaemia, children's cancer and testicular cancer were introduced. From 2002, the target of a maximum wait of two months from urgent referral to treatment for breast cancer was introduced. By 2005, there will be targets of a maximum one month wait from diagnosis to treatment and a maximum two month wait from urgent GP referral to treatment for all cancers. Data on current targets are published quarterly on the Department's website for SHAs and trusts, at: http://www.performance.doh.gov.uk/cancerwaits.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting for in-patient hospital treatment in the mid-Essex Hospital Trust area for each of the last two months. [159424]
123W
§ Dr. Ladyman[holding answer 10 March 2004]The information requested is shown in the table. This is the latest data that is available.
Month Number waiting for in-patient hospital treatment Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust December 2003 8,093 Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust January 2004 7,895 Figures for February 2004 will be available on 2 April.