§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the number of patients on NHS waiting lists waiting 12 months or longer since 1 May 1997. [80287]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 13 April 1999]: Between March 1996 and March 1997 (the latest figures available on 1 May 1997), the total number of patients on National Health Service waiting lists for 12 months or longer rose from 3,600 to 30,200. It continued to rise until June 1998 [to 72,100]. It has since fallen by 29 per cent. (21,200), to stand at 50,900 by the end of February 1999. We fully expect this downward trend to continue.
§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the reports he has commissioned into reducing waiting lists, including the dates when they were received. [80280]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 13 April 1999]: In January 1998, the Department commissioned a report from Professor John Yates of the Inter-Authority Comparisons and Consultancy, at the University of Birmingham's Health Services Management Centre, on waiting times in the Ear, Nose and Throat specialty. The report was received by the Department in March this year.