HC Deb 07 March 1996 vol 273 c321W
Mr. Deva

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) on 13 February,Official Report, column 798, what is the current average time that patients have to wait before being seen when attending the accident and emergency department at the Whittington Hospital NHS trust. [19609]

Mr. Malone

At present, 95 per cent. of patients are seen within five minutes for triage assessment. The average waiting time to see a doctor in January 1996 was 65 minutes. Approximately 45 per cent. of patients were seen by a doctor within 30 minutes, 58 per cent. within 60 minutes, 78 per cent. within 120 minutes and 90 per cent. within 180 minutes. Children and patients needing urgent treatment are always given priority.