§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for routine endoscopies was in the last 12 months. [53231]
§ Mr. HuttonWe do not collect waiting times for endoscopy. The NHS cancer plan sets out new goals to reduce waiting times for cancer patients. The target is that 1003W by 2005 no one should wait longer than two months from urgent general practitioner referral to beginning cancer treatment except for a good clinical reason or through patient choice. This target period includes the time for necessary diagnostic tests including endoscopy. Data collection on the waiting times to treatment targets will be introduced as we roll out the cancer plan waiting times targets.
£2.5 million over three years has been made available within the national cancer plan to train more GPs, nurses, surgeons and gastroenterologists to meet the rising demand for endoscopy. This training will increase the number of diagnostic investigations that will be able to be carried out as an aid to diagnosis for patients with suspected cancer.