§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the South Cheshire health authority waited(a) more than three months for an in-patient operation, (b) more than six months for an in-patient operation, (c) more than one year for an in-patient operation, (d) more than three months for an out-patient appointment, (e) more than six months for an out-patient appointment and (f) more than one year for an out-patient appointment in each of the last 10 years. [18437]
§ Mr. HuttonThe figures for in-patient and out-patient waiting times in south Cheshire health authority for the past six years (since the creation of the health authority) are shown in the tables.
South Cheshire health authority in-patient waiting times Waiting time 19971 19981 19991 20001 20011 3–6 months 3,577 3,919 3,271 3,501 3,339 6–12 months 3,655 4,909 3,396 3,187 2,899 Over 12 months 336 239 270 459 602 Total 7,568 9,067 6,937 7,147 6,840 1As at March each year The board of the Food Standards Agency discussed the issue of food import controls on 22 October 2001. The board approved a report containing a set of proposals aimed at improving the co-ordination of controls and the effectiveness of inspection of food imports. FSA officials are exploring these proposals further and will report back to the board.