§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes have been made since May 2001 in the way waiting lists are compiled; and whether NHS trusts in England apply the same criteria. [56276]
§ Mr. HuttonThe NHS Plan set waiting time targets for first outpatient appointments following general practitioner (GP) referral and for inpatient treatment. Waiting list data are collected from National Health Service trusts to monitor progress against these targets. NHS trusts are required to compile their waiting list returns according to criteria and guidance set out by the Department and the NHS information authority.
1380WFurther to recommendations made in the national audit office report "Inappropriate Adjustments to NHS Waiting Lists", guidance setting out the main rules for recording waiting list or waiting time information, and some related technical guidance prepared by the NHS information authority, will be sent to trust directors of information shortly. The NHS and social care bulletin number 21 issued on 18 July 2002 referred to this forthcoming guidance and also reminded chief executives of their duties of reasonableness to patients and honesty to the public when reporting waiting list information.