§ 18. Mr. ForthTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the total number of patients waiting more than 13 weeks for an out-patient consultation as of(a) the first quarter of 1997 and (b) the last quarter for which figures are available. [67177]
§ Mr. DenhamIn the first quarter of 1997–98, 2,690,000 first outpatient attendances were provided, with 290,000 patients waiting over 13 weeks at 30 June. In the second quarter of 1998–99 (the latest available),570W 2,740,000 first outpatient attendances were provided, with 437,000 patients waiting over 13 weeks at 30 September 1998.