§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to further reduce waiting times for hospital appointments. [38836]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe NHS in Wales is to be congratulated on its achievement in cutting the waiting times for outpatient appointments sharply during the course of 1995–96.
The NHS has committed itself to building on this success in 1996–97 using the special funds available for this purpose. Health authorities are planning on the basis that by 31 March 1997, no patient will have waited more than six months for a first appointment.