§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the criteria which his Department will use to measure the number of patients removed from waiting lists. [16656]
§ Mr. MilburnInformation on the numbers of patients treated from waiting lists is published annually in "Hospital Episode Statistics". The latest is for 1995–96 and copies are available in the Library. Removals are patients removed from the waiting list for in-patient treatment, in accordance with clearly defined guidelines set out in "The NHS Data Manual", for any reason other than admission for treatment from that list. This can be because they have already received treatment at another hospital or because the treatment is no longer necessary. Trusts are encouraged to validate their waiting lists on a regular basis to ensure they do not include any patients that should not be on them.