§ 14. Mr. StringerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the total number of people on NHS waiting lists in England since April 1998; and if he will make a statement on progress made in reducing waiting lists. [67172]
§ Mr. DenhamThe total number of people on National Health Service waiting lists in England has fallen by over 150,000 since April 1998. By next April, we will deliver a record reduction in waiting lists to below the 1.16 million patients inherited from the previous Government. This will be the first step in delivering our pledge to bring down the waiting lists by 100,000 from the level we inherited in the lifetime of this Parliament.
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§ 29. Mr. David TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the total number of people waiting over 12 months for treatment on NHS waiting lists in England since May 1998. [67188]
§ Mr. DenhamOver 12 months waiters have fallen by over 16,000, 22 per cent. since June 1998, to stand at 56,000 at the end of November 1998.
§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients need to be treated in the Essex Rivers health authority to meet his Department's waiting list target at 31 March 1999. [67191]
§ Mr. DenhamThe position as at November 1998 was that Essex Rivers Healthcare National Health Service Trust will need to achieve a reduction of 2,324 in order to achieve its 31 March 1999 waiting list target. North Essex Health Authority will need to achieve a reduction of 3,362 in order to achieve its 31 March 1999 waiting list target.