§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has issued to the chairman of the Welsh health authorities in respect of the application of total waiting times guarantees for hospital treatment, inclusive of the first out-patient appointment waiting time; and if he will place a copy of such guidelines in the Library.
§ Mr. RedwoodA copy of the letter sent to all health authorities outlining the new approach to waiting times in Wales will be placed in the Library of the House. Detailed work on operational aspects of the approach will take place this year in preparation for its implementation from April 1995.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has issued to Welsh health authorities and to provider units in Wales in respect of dates being given for first out-patient appointment within a short period after receipt of the referral letter from the general practitioner; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodAll patients referred to a hospital out-patient clinic by their GP are included in waiting list statistics whether or not they have been provided with a fixed appointment date.
Comprehensive guidance on the management of waiting lists has been issued to all health authorities, NHS trusts and other healthcare providers, identifying the provision of booked dates for first out-patient appointments as best practice.