§ Mr. St. AubynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on variations by region for out-patient waiting times and referral arrangements. [137265]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are aware of variations in out-patient waiting times and are working to improve matters. In July each acute National Health Service trust in the country received a "Step-by-step guide to improving out-patient services", a copy of which is available in the Library. At the same time Trusts were instructed to introduce partial booking systems into clinics with waits in excess of 13 weeks. These systems improve the efficiency of out-patient clinics and reduce long waiting times. We have also recently announced further details of our "Action On" programme, with funding targeted at specialties with the longest waits—orthopaedics, ear nose and throat, dermatology and ophthalmology (cataracts)
To make the best use of resources it is important that only patients who need to see a consultant are referred to hospital. All acute NHS trusts are implementing Out-patient Improvement Plans which include schemes to improve the appropriateness of referrals through collaborative working between hospital consultants and general practitioners. In addition, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the shadow Modernisation Agency are piloting a guide to appropriate referral from general to specialist services for common medical conditions.
§ Mr. St. AubynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of new patients referred to medical, surgical, oncological, obstetric, gynaecological and other out-patient clinics in the West Surrey health authority were seen by(a) a consultant in the discipline and (b) a junior doctor, in the last year for which figures are available. [137266]
§ Mr. DenhamI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 10 November 2000,Official Report, columns 432-33W.