§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the maximum waiting times are for a consultant appointment at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle; and if he will make a statement. [127804]
§ Mr. DenhamLatest published data for the quarter ending 31 March 2000 show that 75 per cent. of patients referred by their general practitioner to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Trust are seen within 13 weeks for first out-patient appointments and 95 per cent. are seen within 26 weeks. Lengthy waits being experienced for orthopaedic surgery are being addressed by the appointment of a new consultant.