HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc1411-2W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of routine appointment wait times in(a) Twickenham and (b) the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames at general practice surgeries; and if he will make a statement. [72836]

Mr. Hutton

Reducing the routine wait times for appointments in primary care is a government priority. By the end of March 2004, all patients will be able to see a primary care professional within 24 hours and a general practitioner within 48 hours.

Results for the Q4 service and financial framework return (SaFFR) primary care access survey are shown below.

Percentage of practices with an appointment system offering an appointment within 2 working days to see a GP
Richmond Primary Care Trust 94
Teddington, Twickenham and Hamptons Primary Care Trust 100

Percentage of practices with an appointment system offering an appointment within 1 working days to see a PCP
Richmond PCT 93
Teddington, Twickenham and Hamptons PCT 75
England 59