§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what categories of measurement are to be used for the compilation of hospital league tables;
(2) what statistical or other techniques will be used in judging outcomes for use in hospital league tables.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe chief executive of the national health service management executive has asked NHS hospitals and ambulance authorities, in an executive letter, dated 20 July 1993—EL(93)64— copies of which are available in the Library, to provide information on the following categories:
Accident and Emergency
The percentage of patients seen and assessed for treatment within five minutes of arriving in the accident and emergency department.Out-patient Appointments
The percentage of patients seen within 30 minutes of their out-patient appointment time.Day Surgery
The percentage of elective episodes—waiting list and booked —by selected procedures for NHS patients not requiring an overnight stay. The indicator is based on the first episode in the provider spell.Waiting Times
The percentage of NHS patients by selected specialties admitted within three months and within 12 months of being put on a waiting list.Operations
The number of patients not admitted within a month of their second cancelled operation.Ambulance Speed of Response
The percentage of emergency—999 calls—ambulances arriving within 14 minutes—urban area—or 19 minutes—rural area.Statistical or other techniques to be used in judging outcomes for use in hospital league tables are still under discussion.