§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish the advice given to health authorities in respect of procedures to be followed for the compilation of waiting list figures for cataract operations. [151934]
(2) if, in the case of a second eye needing a cataract operation, the second eye is listed as a separate event in the compilation of waiting list figures. [151935]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 5 March 2001]: Waiting list information for cataract operations is compiled in the same way as for other types of inpatient hospital treatment. Guidance on compiling waiting list and waiting time figures is contained in the national health service data manual and the NHS data dictionary which are distributed to all NHS trusts and health authorities.
Where a patient needs to have two separate but linked operations, for example to have cataracts removed from both eyes, they should be treated as a planned admission
92Wfor the second procedure. Planned admissions are, and have always been, excluded from published waiting list statistics.
We are aware that some patients are waiting too long for cataract operations and we have made £30 million capital available over two years to tackle this. Hospitals receiving shares of this money will ensure that by 2003 patients will have to, wait no longer than six months from referral to hospital to surgery.