HC Deb 10 July 1995 vol 263 cc436-7W
Sir James Spicer

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the performance of(a) the Dorset Healthcare national health service trust and (b) the national health service as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [33699]

Mr. Malone

I would like to congratulate the Dorset Healthcare trust on its excellent performance in the national health service performance tables for the second year running. Not only has the trust improved its performance against the existing performance tables indicators but the new indicators introduced this year show that 100 per cent. of patients are seen in out-patient clinics within 13 weeks of referral by their general practitioner. Copies of the NHS performance tables are available in the Library.

The tables show yet another year of achievement for the NHS as a whole. Performance has improved so that: 93 per cent. of patients are now assessed within five minutes in accident and emergency departments; 88 per cent. of patients are now seen within 30 minutes of their appointment times; over half of hospitals admitted 95 per cent. or more of patients in the eight main surgical specialties within 12 months of going on a waiting list;

The figures for day surgery also show substantial improvement. Over 60 per cent. of arthroscopies and laparoscopies, more than a quarter of inguinal hernia repairs and a third of cataracts are now done on a day surgery basis. This is a better option for many patients who prefer not to have to stay in hospital overnight.

Information is included in the tables for the first time on the waiting time to see a consultant following referral by a GP:

  • 82 per cent. of patients are seen within 13 weeks of referral; and
  • 95 per cent. within 26 weeks of referral.

These figures suggest that the NHS is well on course to meet the new patients charter standard, introduced on 1 April this year, of nine out of 10 patients being seen within 13 weeks and all patients being seen within 26 weeks.

The tables also show that 64 per cent. of GP practices have produced charters for their patients.

This is an impressive record of achievement. Trusts have earned more than 3,000 five-star ratings this year. But not every trust has performed well on every indicator and action is already under way to secure even better performance next year.