§ Mr. TouhigTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average waiting time for appointments with consultants in(a) obstetrics, (b) trauma and orthopaedics, (c) ENT, (d) coronary, (e) general surgery, (f) urology, (g) ophthalmology, (h) oral surgery, (i) gynaecology and (j) other specialties in each health authority area in Wales. [88904]
Mean waiting times for selected specialities, by health authority, patients seen in 19981—mean waits given to the nearest whole week Speciality Gwent Bro Taf Dyfed Powys North Wales Morgannwg General surgery 16 15 17 13 12 Urology 12 10 10 12 12 Trauma and orthopaedic 29 23 26 23 22 Ear, nose and throat 20 17 16 22 16 Ophthalmology 22 19 19 18 21 Oral surgery 9 8 13 12 10 Cardiac surgery 31 26 27 13 22 Obstetrics 3 8 3 3 4 Gynaecology 12 11 7 11 10 All other specialties 9 9 6 8 11 1Mean waits are calculated using information in respect of each health authority treated in Welsh hospitals during 1998 Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.