§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what performance targets he has set for the waiting time for a barium enema. [28305]
§ Yvette CooperWe have acknowledged the importance of diagnostic procedures, and are encouraging hospitals to streamline their services so that tests are carried out, and a diagnosis made, as quickly as possible.
There are no specific performance targets set for the waiting time for a barium enema. However, where this diagnostic procedure is to be used to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of bowel cancer, specific targets have been set. From July 2000, a two week out-patient waiting time standard has been introduced for urgent general practitioner referrals of patients with suspected bowel cancer.
The length of time that a patient might have to wait for any diagnostic procedure is dependent on their clinical condition with priority given to urgent cases.