§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the average waiting time for initial assessment in accident and emergency departments in 1992–93; and what proportion of people attending accident and emergency departments had to wait(a) five minutes or more, (b) 15 minutes or more and (c) 30 minutes or more;
(2) what proportion of NHS outpatients were given specific appointment times in 1992–93; and what proportion were seen within 30 minutes of their appointment time.
§ Dr. MawhinneyInformation about average waiting times for initial assessment in accident and emergency departments is not available centrally. As at 31 March 1993, 74 per cent.—estimates based on samples—of patients were assessed within five minutes of arriving in an accident and emergency department.
From 1 April 1992 all patients should have a specific out-patient appointment time. As at 31 March 1993 73 per cent.—estimates based on samples—of patients were seen within 30 minutes of their out-patient appointment time.