§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients admitted to hospital in October via an accident and emergency department had to wait more than four hours for a bed; and what proportion that figure represents of all patients so admitted to hospital during October. [19321]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 29 November 2001]: The latest figures are for quarter one (April to June 2001). In quarter one, 531,063 patients were admitted to hospital via accident and emergency departments.
Of these, 66,383 (12 per cent.) had to wait more than four hours for a bed.