§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish at six monthly intervals total waiting times from general practitioner referral to hospital admission, including and identifying the waiting time from GP referral to first out-patient appointment; and if he will make a statement. [33631]
§ Mr. MaloneNo. We already publish information on waiting times for in-patient treatment on a summary basis each quarter and for individual trusts every six months. Information on waiting times between general practitioner written referral and first out-patient appointment is published in summary form each quarter and will be published for individual trusts for the fist time shortly and at regular intervals thereafter.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that any patient on a waiting list for any elective surgery who is forced by circumstance to change general practitioners or move to a new district health authority should not have to rejoin the waiting list as a new referral; and if he will make a statement. [33671]
§ Mr. MalonePatients who move house or general practitioner while waiting for hospital admission may choose to stay on their original waiting list. If they choose to be treated at a different hospital the new consultant would need to assess them on an out-patient basis before deciding whether to admit, and if so, placing them on a waiting list. We would expect GPs and health authorities to try to arrange the shortest possible waiting time for such patients taking account both of clinical need and the time they have already waited.