§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the suspension from hospital waiting lists of patients who are prepared to consent to suspension in order to be treated by a named consultant. [25500]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 9 January 2002]: Patients who consent to be treated by a named consultant other than by the consultant they were originally referred to should not be suspended from the waiting list.
Except where the change of consultant involves moving to a different trust, patients should continue to remain on the active list and should be treated within the maximum waiting time applicable at the time. Patients who move to a different trust would have their waiting time recalculated to the date they were put on the new consultant's list, although trusts are encouraged to take account of elapsed wait when prioritising them for treatment.
To reduce variations in waiting times, we are encouraging the pooling of referrals. Pooled referrals are being tested as part of the "Action On Programme". The programme is being run by the national health service Modernisation Agency and aims to tackle those specialties with typically the longest waiting times: ophthalmology; dermatology; ear, nose and throat; and orthopaedics.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made on the waiting time for a general practitioner appointment; and if he will make a statement. [24010]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 9 January 2002)Patient surveys identify ready access to primary care as a key issue and the NHS Plan sets targets that by 2004 all patients will be able to see a primary care professional within 24 hours and a general practitioner within 48 hours. Health authorities and primary care trusts have 77W been working with GPs and others to secure delivery of these targets. In doing so they are supported by the work of the National Primary Care Development Team and by resources from the PCT primary care access fund. In-year monitoring indicates that the interim milestone for April 2002 of 60 per cent. compliance will be achieved. Further progress towards these targets will be supported in 2002–03 by an earmarked increase of £83.5 million in the PCT primary care access fund to £168 million.