§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives he has introduced to ensure compatibility of waiting times between health authorities. [160069]
§ Mr. DenhamOur national health service plan targets will reduce the maximum waiting time for in-patient treatment to six months and for out-patient appointments to three months by 2005. The modernisation agency and the Department's regional offices are working with the NHS to significantly improve access to care and to reduce variations in waiting times in the areas with the longest waits.