HC Deb 18 June 2002 vol 387 c233W
30. Mr. Heath

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in the south-west had been waiting over 15 months for an NHS hospital operation in April. [59151]

Ms Blears

Data for March 2002 reported that there were two patients in the former south-west region waiting over 15 months for treatment. However, a waiting list review at the Royal United Hospital Bath National Health Service Trust has concluded that waiting list information reported by the trust in the year 2001–02 was inaccurate. Further examination of these waiting lists, published on 7 June, shows that 223 patients in March and 235 patients in April had been waiting for more than 15 months for in-patient treatment.

By the end of June, all patients will be offered a date for operation.