§ Mr. TruswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on(a) orthopaedic waiting lists in Leeds and (b) what action will be taken to reduce these in the short term.[10705]
§ Jacqui SmithAt the end of August 2001 there were 1,714 patients waiting for orthopaedic inpatient or day case treatment at Leeds teaching hospitals national health service trust.
There has been substantial investment of £3.7 million in orthopaedic services in Leeds this year. This is funding an additional ward and theatre for orthopaedic services and will help to fund an additional five orthopaedic consultant posts:
- two spinal surgeons
- one foot and ankle surgeon
- one lower limb surgeon
- one hand surgeon.