HC Deb 31 July 1998 vol 317 cc791-2W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes his Department has made to the criteria for assessing numbers of patients on(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient waiting lists; and if he will publish the (i) current and (ii) previous criteria. [53316]

Mr. Milburn

No changes have been made to the criteria for the assessment of numbers on National Health Service in-patient and out-patient waiting lists. Guidance is set out in the NHS Executive's Data Manual (published in January 1997), the NHS Waiting Times Good Practice Guide and Guidelines for Good Administrative Practice (both published in January 1996). Copies of which are available in the Library.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the validity and accuracy of the waiting list initiative results submitted to the NHS Executive for the last three quarters. [53317]

Mr. Milburn

Waiting list data are subject to well established validation and checking processes.